Archive for September, 2022

Dr. Julie Russak, Board-Certified Dermatologist

NEW YORK (PRWEB) September 12, 2022

Julie E. Russak, M.D., FAAD., is a Board Certified Dermatologist, Founder of Russak Dermatology Clinic in Manhattan and specializes in general and cosmetic dermatology, regenerative aesthetic medicine, skin cancer and dermatologic surgery. Dr. Russak has received numerous honors and recognition of her clinical excellence, including being selected as a New York Super Doctor by New York Times Magazine.

An Integrative Approach to Aesthetic Medicine and Metabolic Aging on the Cellular LevelThe new physician and nutritionist-led program utilizes a 360 approach to aesthetics and longevity, designed to empower patients with the clinical data, tools and treatments to reverse the signs of aging and feel their best. The program was designed for patients who want to receive a custom plan on how to approach anti-aging and wellness together.- Dr. Julie Russak

In-house Board Certified Holistic Nutritionist & Celebrity Health Coach, Jennifer Hanway, alongside Dr. Russak, leads all patients through their highly-personalized testing analysis and develops customized nutrition, supplement, lifestyle and aesthetic treatment plans. Jennifers deep knowledge of hormonal imbalances, gut health and body composition informs her holistic approach.

Aging well is the mission of the program, and that requires more than skin deep procedures. We have the ability to reprogram gene expression to increase our healthspan, while resetting our cells to a more youthful state. Benefits of the program include slowing premature aging internally and externally, healthy skin and hair, hormone and metabolism optimization, weight loss, increased lean muscle mass, increased energy levels and mental clarity. - Jennifer Hanway.

Russak Dermatology Clinic works with leading integrative laboratories, specializing in epigenetic and functional testing including biological age, food intolerance, gut health, micronutrient and hormone panels. Hormones tell your tissues and organs what to do. A slight imbalance can cause fatigue, anxiety, acne, hair loss, weight change and more. Hormone health is a critical pillar of the program. -Jennifer Hanway.

A Regenerative ResetDr. Russaks Regenerative Aesthetics menu was designed to go hand-in-hand with the program. It includes therapies such as exosomes, stem cell facelift technology, platelet rich plasma (PRP), IV drips and bio-stimulatory injectables. The clinic carries clinical-grade skincare and nutraceuticals that boost the body's natural regenerative responses and have secured brand partnerships available to their patients, including health-expert designed, organic meal delivery service, Daily Dose and integrative supplement brand, Nutrafol.

Russak Dermatology Clinic ExpansionThe newly expanded aesthetic center will house the Anti-Aging Wellness Program and regenerative aesthetics offerings. The mission of the newly expanded space is to guide patients on how to harness the regenerative power of their own body. Think of your skins health, but elevated and enhanced through integrative and cutting-edge aesthetic treatments that address your bodys total wellness, inside and out.

About Dr. Julie RussakJulie E. Russak, M.D., FAAD., is a Board Certified Dermatologist and Founder of Russak Dermatology Clinic. Dr. Russak serves as Faculty at Mount Sinai Hospital, where she teaches dermatology residents and medical students. Dr. Russak has distinguished herself in the medical community through her clinical research, scientific presentations, publications and aesthetic approach. She attends anti-aging, aesthetic and regenerative medical conferences around the world to incorporate advancements in these fields into her practice. Some notable conferences include the Aesthetic & Anti-Aging Medicine World Congress and the Annual Mount Sinai Winter Symposium Advances in Medical and Surgical Dermatology".

Dr. Russak is frequently sought out by beauty editors and industry outlets as an expert contributor, including Good Morning America, NewBeauty, Cosmopolitan, Forbes, and Marie Claire. Dr. Russak serves as a consulting Dermatologist and formulator to clean skincare brand, Covey.

For all marketing and media inquiries, please contact Gabrielle@RussakDermatology.com. Learn more at http://www.russakplus.com and IG: @russakderm

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NYC Dermatologist, Dr. Julie Russak, launches first Anti-Aging Wellness Program of its kind in the U.S. - PR Web

Breast cancerSurgical

Bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy reduces cancer risk by at least 90%rr(depending on the operation performed). Statistically significant survival benefit associated with bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy compared with surveillance is yet to be demonstrated.

While RRSOhad been reported to reducebreast cancer risk by 53% in BRCA1 and BRCA2pathogenic variant carriers,rthis protective effect has been questioned, with a prospective study showing no reduction in breast cancer risk in BRCA1pathogenic variant carriers with RRSO.rRecent data indicates the benefit for BRCA2 pathogenic variant carriers is restricted to the risk of breast cancer diagnosed before the age of 50.r

MRIis the preferred screening technique due to its high sensitivity compared with MMG or US. The addition of MMG is limited, and does not lead to a significant increase in sensitivity compared with MRIalone.rThere is no added value of ultrasound in women undergoing MRI for screening. MRI detects tumours which are smaller and more likely to be node-negative than MMG. MRI has a recall rate (requiring further investigation and/or biopsy) of 15% for initial screening, which decreases with subsequent rounds of screening to <10%.

Mammography screening is not recommended before age 40 years in BRCA1 and BRCA2 pathogenic variant carriers. The sensitivity of MRI is not influenced by age or breast density, being similar in women aged >50 yearsto those aged <50 years.On current evidence, it may be reasonable to offer breast MRI to women with BRCA1 and BRCA2 pathogenic variants beyond age 50 years.r

The rate of cancers occurring between annual screening (interval cancers) is higher in BRCA1 pathogenic variant carriers than other high risk populations.

Tamoxifen and raloxifene have been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer in high risk women. To date studies have not included enough BRCA1 or BRCA2 pathogenic variant carriers to determine if it is effective for primary prevention in this population. Tamoxifen use is associated with a reduction in contralateral breast cancer risk in BRCA1 and BRCA2 pathogenic variant carriers with breast cancer; such benefit is stronger if ovaries are still intact.r In view of the potential side effects associated with tamoxifen/raloxifene, risk-reducing medications should be discussed with an experienced medical professional to determine the relevant risks and benefits in an individual pathogenic variant carrier. See COSA - Medications to lower the risk of breast cancer: clinician guide.

Bilateral risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) significantly reduces the risk of ovarian and fallopian tube cancer in BRCA1 and BRCA2 pathogenic variant carriers.rThe residual risk of primary peritoneal cancer after RRSO is <2%.r

The effectiveness and safety of risk-reducing bilateral salpingectomy followed by delayed bilateral oophorectomy has not been established, and is not recommended for ovarian cancer risk management.

The decision to perform hysterectomy at the time of RRSO should be individualised. There is no evidence of an increased risk of endometrial cancer in Australian BRCA1 and BRCA2 pathogenic variant carriers, although there is some evidence that serous histology may be more common in BRCA1 pathogenic variant carriers.rrHysterectomy may simplify subsequent menopausal hormone therapy, or the use of tamoxifen for breast cancer risk or as adjuvant treatment of breast cancer, but it is not justified for endometrial cancer prevention alone.

For asymptomatic women annual transvaginal ultrasound (TVU) and serum CA125 levels have poor sensitivity and specificity for ovarian cancer. They do not reliably detect ovarian cancers at an early stage, nor do they affect outcomes. This is true of women in the general population and women at high risk of hereditary ovarian cancer. Effective ovarian cancer risk management relies on RRSO.

Although there is evidence that the combined oral contraceptive pill can reduce the ovarian cancer risk, it is significantly less effective than RRSO and it is not recommended for cancer prevention.

There is currently no effective surveillance that detects early pancreatic cancer.

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3814-BRCA1 or BRCA2 risk management (female) | eviQ

All this is, of course, assuming that the father is the same. However, there have been more than one instance when the assumed father of the twins turns out to be the father of only one child. The scientific terminology for such an event is heteroparental superfecundation (HS).

Before we get into how HS occurs, a quick biology class.

During sexual intercourse, the human male deposits millions of sperm in the female reproductive tract. Inside the harsh environment of the female vagina, most sperm perish while whipping their tails to move up the female reproductive tract.

With the energy supplied by the mitochondria inside them, the sperm navigate the arduous path of the cervix and uterus and then up one of the fallopian tubes with the hope that they will meet the egg. Only a few hundred or perhaps even lesser reach this point.

To fertilize the egg, sperm needs to beat the odds of being in the correct fallopian tube, where the ovulated egg will be available. Further, it must defeat other sperm who have also beaten the previous odds and are now fighting to fertilize the egg. An egg is usually available for a brief period of 12-24 hours, so the sperm must be present at the correct time for pregnancy.

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Twins with different fathers: Case in Portugal highlights rare copulation event - Interesting Engineering

In 1995, an ordinary-looking lamb was born to a conventional Merino ewe.

But Larry the lamb was anything but ordinary. Larry made history as the world's first gender-selected sheep.

Scientists at the University of Sydney always knew they'd be getting a baby boy. They'd employed a process that sorted ram semen into male and female, and they chose to produce a male.

The scientists used a technique discovered in the USA in 1989 when Dr Larry Johnson developed a method to separate living female-producing (X-chromosome) and male-producing (Y-chromosome) sperm based on their DNA content.

Johnson had effectively turned nature on its head. Until then, it had been nature that determined whether you were born male or female.

The American scientists made their breakthrough using rabbits and then successfully applied the technology to cows and pigs.

Naturally, it was livestock industries that stood to be the biggest beneficiaries of this brave new worldand it was dairy farmers who most embraced it.

They want female calves to replenish their milking herds.

Male calves, largely unwanted, are known as bobby calves and can be sold for slaughter as young as five days of age.

Dairy Australia estimates that last year nationwide, about 300,000 bobby calves met that fate.

Worldwide, there's growing opposition to bobby calves. Many countries have banned the trade.

New Zealand is introducing tighter restrictionsand many believe Australia will soon follow.

Improving animal welfare is a major reason why more Australian dairy farmers are using "sexed"semen.

"The main sort of incentive to use the sexed semen was the plight of the poor male Jersey bobby calf. They don't really have any value in our industry," said Tess Butler, a veterinarian and dairy farmer at Jindivick east of Melbourne.

"Unfortunately, they get slaughtered at about five days old, off to the abattoirs, which is something that we don't really agree withand we really want to change."

Just now, it's calving season. In the farm's calf-rearing shed, there's a growing number of young Jersey calves.

So far, their use of sexed semen is achieving better than expected results.

"Last year, we ran at about 10 per cent bulls, which is what we were kind of promised, which is great," said Ms Butler.

"This year, we've only been calving for a week, but we've got about 5 per cent bull calves, so that's amazing as well."

"The technology has definitely got better over time," said dairy farmer Rowen Foote.

"We're seeing a lot better conception rates from the start of 2004 up to now. It has been massive."

Mr Foote runs a large, family-owned dairy farm at Fish Creek in South Gippsland. Opposed to bobby calves, he was an early adopter of the use of sexed semen.

Gender selection also means he can sell surplus dairy heifers to the lucrative export market.

About a quarter of Australian dairy farmers are now using sexed semen. In the United Kingdom, the figure is now 50 per cent.

"So this whole area of sexed semen is evolving at a great rate, and primarily its been so much research and the success of conception rates that is driving that engagement," said Paul Douglas of global company ST Genetics.

British dairy farmers got access to sexed semen in 1998 when UK company Cogent made the first commercial sales of sexed semen from dairy bulls.

In the early years, it was expensive to use, the conception rates weren't always goodand there was a limited range of available bovine genetics.

In 2017, US based-company ST Genetics bought a majority share in Cogent.

The company is rapidly expanding its semen sorting facilities around the globe.

"I think there's 40 plus labs in 33 countries now, most of them working 24 hours a day, seven days a week," said Peter Semmens, who heads up the company's Australian branch.

"The product is getting better every day, and the discerning breeder out there or the discerning farmer is making some pretty astute decisions," said Brad Aitken, whose company supplies genetics to livestock farmers across Australia.

To date, ST Genetics has focused on dairy genetics. But the company is targeting Australia's beef industry, which is rebuilding after severe droughts and floods.

Breeding more females through gender selection can accelerate that rebound.

The company has other species in its sights. Sheep producers are embracing the use of sexed semen, and pork and goat producers are poised to join them.

In the future, gender selection could be used to bolster populations of endangered animals by producing more breeding females.

And this new frontier of animal production is getting closer to home. The company is experimenting with sorting dog semen.

"It could be some ideal working dogs that become involved in a sexed semen situation. Who knows?" said Mr Douglas.

Watch this story on ABC TV's Landline at 12:30pm on Sunday, or onABC iview.

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The on-farm sexual revolution is getting closer to home - ABC News

One gene and pathogenic missense variants in that gene account for most cases of uncombable hair syndrome (UHS), a rare hair shaft anomaly that manifests during infancy, investigators have reported.

The findings are from a cohort study published in JAMA Dermatology that involved 107 unrelated children and adults suspected of having UHS, as well as family members, all of whom were recruited from January 2013 to December 2021. Genetic analyses were conducted in Germany from January 2014 to December 2021 with exome sequencing.

Senior author Regina C. Betz, MD, professor of dermatogenetics at the Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany, told Medscape that in 2016, she and her co-investigators authored a study on the molecular genetics of UHS. That study, which involved 18 people with UHS, identified variants in three genes PADI3, TCHH, and TGM3 that encode proteins that play a role in the formation of the hair shaft. The investigators described how a deficiency in the shaping and mechanical strengthening of the hair shaft that occurs in the UHS phenotype, which is characterized by dry, frizzy, and wiry hair that cannot be combed flat.

Dr Regina Betz

As a result of that previous work, "we base the assignment or confirmation of a clinical diagnosis of UHS on molecular genetic diagnostics," the authors write in the new study, rather than on the clinical appearance of the hair and the physical examination of the patient, with confirmation on microscopical examination of the hair shaft.

Following the 2016 study, Betz and colleagues were contacted by many clinicians and by the public through Facebook and other social media platforms with details about possible cases of UHS, an autosomal recessive disorder. Through these contacts, blood samples, saliva, or DNA was sent to the investigators' laboratory from 89 unrelated index patients (69 female patients, and 20 male patients) suspected of having UHS. This resulted in the identification of pathogenic variants in 69 cases, the investigators write.

"In the first study, we had 18 patients, and then we tried to collect as many as possible" to determine the main mechanism behind UHC, Betz said. One question is whether there are additional genes responsible for UHS, she noted. "Even now, we are not sure, because in 25% [of cases in the new study], we didn't find any mutation in the three known genes."

The current study resulted in the discovery of eight novel pathogenic variants in PADI3, which are responsible for 71.0% (76) of the 107 cases. Of those, "6 were single observations and 2 were observed in 3 and 2 individuals, respectively," the investigators write.

Children can grow out of this disorder, but it can persist into adulthood, Betz noted. Communication that investigators had with parents of the children with UHS revealed that these children are often the targets of bullying by other children, she added.

She and her and colleagues will continue this research and are currently studying adults who have UHS.

Jeff Donovan, MD, FRCPC, FAAD, a dermatologist and medical director of the Donovan Hair Clinic in Whistler, British Columbia, described these findings as fundamental to understanding UHS and creating pathways to possible treatments.

Dr Jeff Donovan

The study "identifies more about the genetic basis of this challenging condition," said Donovan, who is also clinical instructor in the Department of Dermatology at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, and president of the Canadian Hair Loss Foundation. "We really need this type of information in order to have any sort of clue in terms of how to treat it," he told Medscape.

"In the hair loss world, it's pretty clear that if you can understand the genetic basis of things, or the basic science of a condition, whether it's the basic genetics or the basic immunology, you give yourself the best chance to develop good treatments," said Donovan.

The article provides advanced genetic information of the condition, such that geneticists can test for at least three markers if they are suspecting UHS, Donovan observed.

Donovan also commented that UHS can have a detrimental impact on children with regard to socializing with their peers. "Having hair that sticks out and is very full like this is challenging because kids do get teased," he said.

"It is often the parents who are the most affected" when a child aged 2 to 5 years has a hair condition such as UHS. But at age 5 to 9, "children are developing self-identity and an understanding of various aspects of self-esteem and what they look like and what others look like. And that's where the teasing really starts. And that's where it does become troublesome."

Betz and Donovan have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

JAMA Dermatol. Published online August 31, 2022. Abstract

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One Gene, Variants Linked to Many Cases of Rare Hair Condition - Medscape

Jesse Weber collects stickleback with a minnow trap in the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska. Photo by Matt Chotlos

At first blush, sticklebacks might seem a bit pedestrian. The finger-length, unassuming fish with a few small dorsal spines are a ubiquitous presence in oceans and coastal watersheds around the northern hemisphere. But these small creatures are also an excellent subject for investigating the complex dance of evolutionary adaptations.

A new study published Sept. 8 in Science sheds light on the genetic basis by which stickleback populations inhabiting ecosystems near each other developed a strong immune response to tapeworm infections, and how some populations later came to tolerate the parasites.

Evolutionary biologist Jesse Weber, a professor of integrative biology at the University of WisconsinMadison, is one of the studys lead authors. Sticklebacks have long been a source of fascination not only for Weber, but for biologists all over the world so much so that the fish are among the most closely studied species.

An aerial view of an experiment in the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska studying changes in stickleback traits in response to a new environment. Photo by Andrew Hendry

We arguably know more about stickleback ecology and evolution than any other vertebrate, says Weber.

This is in part because of sticklebacks rich abundance in places like Western Europe, where the fish have long been involved in biological study, Weber says. But the reasons for the species star status go well beyond happenstance.

Sticklebacks are also just super charismatic, Weber adds, noting the species complex courtship and territorial behaviors, as well as their diverse colors, shapes and sizes, all of which vary depending on the specific ecosystem they inhabit.

While sticklebacks diversity provides a foothold for understanding why animals evolve different traits, their value for scientists like Weber is boosted by their genetics. The fish have approximately as many genes as humans, but their genetic material is packed much more tightly sticklebacks genome is about one-sixth the size of the human genome.

Their genome is amazingly useful, Weber says. As far as we can tell, its just packed more densely. This means we can efficiently investigate their genetic diversity, allowing us to ask not only, Why do new traits evolve? but also, How are adaptations programmed into the genome?'

On top of all that, sticklebacks take well to captive breeding. A single female can produce hundreds of offspring multiple times over the course of just a few months.

All these traits make stickleback an almost uniquely valuable species for studying the genetic basis for many types of biological adaptations. So, when Weber arrived at UWMadison in the fall of 2020 from the University of Alaska Anchorage, he came with an entire fish colony in tow. Living in tanks, the colony contains fish from genetically distinct populations originating from different lakes and estuaries dotting northwestern North America.

A three spine stickleback with tapeworms recently dissected from the body of the same animal. Photo by Natalie Steinel

In their quest to understand why and how the fish sometimes evolve to look and behave very differently even in relatively nearby lake systems, Weber and his colleagues can crossbreed these populations in various ways and map changes to their genomes across multiple generations relatively quickly.

Much of Webers scientific career to this point has focused on developing tools to make this type of work more efficient. More recently, Weber has turned to using these tools to investigate coevolution the process by which two species adapt to the presence of one another within a shared habitat.

Specifically, Weber and his colleagues have sought to understand why sticklebacks in some lakes are much more likely to be infected with tapeworms than their counterparts in nearby lakes where the tapeworms are also present.

These investigations are beginning to bear fruit. Weber, along with colleagues at the University of Connecticut and University of Massachusetts Lowell, recently identified key genetic differences between the populations.

These differences indicate that all fish populations developed a robust immune response to the tapeworms when they first moved from the sea to new freshwater habitats near the end of the last ice age. But the immune response is costly in terms of both energy and reproduction. It also leads to a large amount of inflammation and internal scarring.

Webers work and that of his colleagues suggest that numerous populations eventually evolved to avoid these costs by ignoring, or in the lingo of immunologists tolerating, the parasite infestation. But the tolerant population still carries the genes that produce the immune response to the tapeworms.

While they havent yet tested it, Weber says it appears that these sticklebacks may have mutations to these fibrosis-associated genes that render them non-functional.

While the results are exciting for Weber, hes already looking toward future research that he hopes will further tell the genetic story of sticklebacks abundant adaptations, and by extension reveal biological processes with implications across the wide diversity of life on Earth.

Read more about the study and its findings from the University of Connecticut.

This study was supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Early Career Scientist fellowship, as well as grants from the National Institutes of Health (1R01AI123659-01A1, 1R01AI146168 and 1R35GM142891).

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How a small, unassuming fish helps reveal gene adaptations - University of Wisconsin-Madison

Gout is an inflammatory form of arthritis that affects the joints, often the big toe. An estimated 36% of men and 12% of women per year in Western countries experience gout.

This condition occurs when a waste byproduct known as urea builds up in your body, leading to hyperuricemia. Its caused by overproduction of urea or an inability to excrete it through urine.

While genetics play a large role in gout, other factors can also increase your risk, such as your diet and, potentially, your weight.

You may wonder, then, if you should attempt to lose weight to help manage your gout.

This article tells you all you need to know about gout and weight loss.

Gout is caused by hyperuricemia, or high urea levels.

Certain hereditary and lifestyle factors can increase your risk of hyperuricemia, such as:

While these factors may play a role, gout is hereditary, which means you may still develop it regardless of your lifestyle habits or weight.

The American College of Rheumatology currently recommends that people with overweight or obesity who have gout lose weight to help manage the condition and reduce their risk of flare-ups.

One large study found a link between body mass index (BMI) and gout incidence and flare-ups. Over the course of 7 years, people with obesity were significantly more likely to develop gout than people with normal BMIs (less than 25 kg/m2).

In addition, those whose BMIs decreased by 5% had 39% lower odds of gout flare-ups, while those whose BMIs increased by 5% had a 60% increased risk.

Another study that included 11,079 people also found a relationship between obesity and gout. Study participants who had obesity throughout adulthood and those who gained weight in adulthood had an 84% and 65% increased risk of gout, respectively.

A review of 10 studies on gout and weight loss found that losing 7.7 pounds (lbs.) (3.5 kg) or more may reduce gout attacks.

However, the authors argue that most studies on this topic are small and low quality, and they suggest that we need larger, higher quality clinical trials.

Further, a large 27-year study among 44,654 men found that 77% of gout cases may have been prevented through strategies such as maintaining a normal BMI, following a nutritious eating pattern, and limiting alcohol and diuretics.

In particular, the study found that excess adiposity, or fat stores, was one of the largest risk factors. Interestingly, adopting healthier lifestyle habits did not seem to be beneficial in men with obesity if their weight was not also reduced.

Ultimately, it appears that weight loss, and particularly fat loss, may help people with obesity and gout manage their symptoms.

If you want to lose weight to help manage gout symptoms, its important to do so in a safe and healthy way. That means its best to skip fad diets, which can lead to mental health challenges, nutrient deficiencies, weight gain, metabolic issues, and other effects.

For sustainable weight loss, try to adopt habits that you can continue to follow in the long term. Consider:

You may also wish to work with a registered dietitian, who can make personalized recommendations based on your medical history, food preferences, and budget.

In addition, its important to make sure youre staying active when you can.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week, but any increase in physical activity is a great starting point.

Getting proper sleep and doing your best to manage stress are also important for well-rounded health and may support weight loss, if you choose to pursue it.

For most people, its generally safe to lose around 12 lbs. (0.450.9 kg) per week from a calorie deficit.

While losing weight may help with gout symptoms, there are other tips you can follow to manage the condition:

Gout is an inflammatory form of arthritis that can result from genetics or lifestyle factors.

While genetics play a large role, overweight or obesity can increase your risk of developing gout and experiencing recurring flare-ups. Thus, losing weight may be beneficial for some people.

However, keep in mind that gout is hereditary and may not be related to your weight or lifestyle habits.

If you want to manage your gout symptoms, there are other things you can do besides losing weight, such as eating a nutritious diet, limiting foods high in purines, avoiding alcohol, and managing any other chronic conditions you may have.

Its best to work with a healthcare professional such as a physician, as well as a registered dietitian, who can make personalized recommendations for your treatment including a nutritious, culturally appropriate eating pattern that can help you manage gout.

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Gout and Weight Loss: What You Need to Know - Healthline

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. Sept. 12, 2022: There is no better time to cultivate cannabis Indica seeds than at the start of the year. Whether you are new to this practice or well-established in the industry, you will agree that finding these seeds is not an easy job.

Before going on your way to buy indica seeds, you need to do a little research on what factors to consider before you make the purchase. Navigating the cannabis seed market can be daunting as every state has different laws regarding the legality of the herb.

This article will discuss some of the things you should consider before buying cannabis Indica seeds.

Since the legality of cannabis can vary in every state, you need to figure out what the status of cannabis is in your state. If you live in a state with adult-use legalization, you have the ability to buy, produce, and sell cannabis in your own state as long as the seeds dont make it to other states.

Other states have medical marijuana legalization, which only allows people to buy cannabis if they have a medical card that states their disorder and the need for the herb.

Still, some other states have completely banned the use and sale of cannabis seeds, and in these state lines, you are not allowed to own, grow, buy, or sell marijuana. In case you are found to be in possession of these seeds, they are confiscated, and you will have to serve an appropriate sentence.

Before buying marijuana seeds, make sure you ask the breeder who produced them if they can mention the origin of the seeds, where they were grown, how they were crossed, or how they were backcrossed.

This information is essential because it allows you to spot poor breeding practices, which can result in unstable genetics. Some inexperienced breeders may cross a male and female plant only once, which will create a new hybrid, but unless they backcross it several times, you wont get consistent plants with the same genetic properties.

One of the most common problems that buyers face when buying cannabis autoflower seeds is scamming incidents. Especially when buying seeds online, make sure you are contacting a trusted seller. Make sure you do thorough research regarding the seller by visiting their website, checking reviews, and reading up on customers feedback to confirm the legitimacy of the seller.

After that, pick a seller with a good reputation and good-quality products that previous buyers have endorsed.

Growing marijuana demands you to have sufficient space and resources to successfully cultivate and store them. Since you are looking for cannabis Indica seeds, it is okay if you have limited space since these strains are usually smaller and take less space. Moreover, Indica strains typically grow faster and smaller.

Secondly, you need expert advice on how to nurture a specific strain of cannabis. Before buying the seeds, get in touch with a professional breeder who can help you understand the standard practices to grow Indicas and give you tips on the growing requirements.

Before buying weed seeds from a seller, you should compare their delivery periods to other sellers. It is obviously better to pick a seller that delivers quicker so that you dont have to wait around for weeks for your package. Ideally, the seller should deliver your product within seven days after you place the order.

Another crucial factor to consider is the packaging of the seeds. Sellers should ensure that the packaging they choose for the seeds is durable enough that it doesnt damage the seeds during transportation. Moreover, the packaging should be discreet in order to not raise suspicion.

Choose a seller that agrees with your payment method. You can detect a good seller by the way they offer multiple payment methods in order to make shopping convenient for their customers. It is better to opt for a seller that offers credit card or debit card options.

Purchasing cannabis Indica seeds is not an easy job, especially if you are a newbie. It takes time to learn how to navigate the market, so the best thing you can do is research and go with your instincts.

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Everything You Should Look At Before Buying Cannabis Indica Seeds - Caribbean and Latin America Daily News - News Americas

Today, we have more lonely, single men than ever before. This is particularly concerning as, unlike many women, men struggle to be on their own and suffer more as a result. In heterosexual relationships, women usually maintain friendships for the couple, but when men are single, they dont have someone pulling them to socialize with other people (usually another couple), causing loneliness.

The obvious cost of loneliness is the emotional turmoil it causes a person, however, the relationships we have in our lives have more of an impact on our physical health than many realize. In fact, the longest study on happiness showed that even the role of genetics proved less important to longevity than the level of satisfaction with relationships.

But this isnt just a concern for men. On a societal level, men who are single and unhappy cause issues because men are naturally more aggressive. As a result, theyre more likely to act out with violence.

Psychologist Dr. Greg Matos says that because men make up the majority of dating apps (upwards of 62%), women are overwhelmed by the number of options they have. Competition is greater than ever before and the chances of meeting someone in person are rarer, especially in the post-Covid, remote-working world we find ourselves in.

The problem with dating apps (among many) is that if a man is unable to present himself properly online, hes less likely to get matches. He may be more attractive in person, but if he cant take a decent picture or write a coherent bio, then women will swipe past him.

Before the rise of social media, men and women would typically settle down with someone in their local area. Now, with apps such as Instagram, women can build a profile and interact with high-status men from around the globe. This means that the man in a stable job who lives just down the road may not be as attractive a relationship prospect as he would have been for previous generations.

With a greater dating pool size, women are becoming increasingly more selective.

With a greater dating pool size, women are becoming increasingly more selective. According to Dr. Matos, women want men who are emotionally available, good communicators, and who share their values. They have less patience for poor communication skills today, which is creating a relationship skills gap that, if not addressed, will lead to fewer dating opportunities for some men.

Gone are the days when women would have to rely on a man to support them financially. Before women had equal access to education and jobs, they had no choice other than to settle down and marry a man with a stable income. This meant that even unattractive men who didnt have a lot going for them could offer financial security, at the very least. Now, what do they have to offer?

According to British journalist James Bloodworth, this is just one of the contributing factors to the growing number of single men. The low success on dating apps perpetuates the idea theyre undesirable to all women. With so few matches, they transpose this onto real life, believing they will be alone forever. When these men turn to mainstream outlets for advice, theyre provided with a Disney-fied version of the dating realm and are told to just be themselves and the right person will come along and love them as they are.

The low success on dating apps perpetuates the idea they're undesirable to all women.

These men soon realize that this is, in fact, not true and so go in search of alternative views, where they come across the manosphere. Bloodworth defines the manosphere as made up of pickup artists (PUAs), involuntary celibates (incels), mens rights activists, as well as Men Going Their Own Way (MGTOW). PUAs try to lure women into bed with tactics and manipulation, whereas incels blame womens sexual liberation for their failure to find a partner. Mens rights activists express [] a nostalgic yearning for ancient societal rules and stereotypes, while MGTOWs aim to live their lives free from female contact.

For incels, in particular, they become part of an echo chamber that perpetuates the idea they all have no hope of ever finding a woman who will commit to them and will forever be alone. Many in the incel community blame feminism and the sexual revolution for their difficulties in finding a woman (and to a certain extent, this has influenced it), believing that there should be a mandated redistribution of sex to solve the issue. However, alongside enforced monogamy (this is culturally enforced monogamy, where men and women are encouraged by society to commit to one person, not the act of physically forcing women to be with undesirable men), the real answer to the problem lies with men themselves.

Contrary to the manosphere encouraging men to be emotional robots, Dr. Matos recommends men level up [their] mental health game. That means getting into some individual therapy to address [their] skills gap. It means valuing [their] own internal world and respecting [their] ideas enough to communicate them effectively. It means seeing intimacy, romance, and emotional connection as worthy of [their] time and effort.

Men can generate the love life they want.

Self-improvement seems to be a consistent message to the men suffering from fewer dates. During a conversation on the Triggernometry podcast, Bloodworth, who has done extensive research into the manosphere, recommends these men make a conscious effort to improve their lives in order to be more attractive to women. Going to the gym, picking a hobby, starting a business, and dressing well will not only make these men happier in themselves, but they may find women are more attracted to them too.

Although dating apps offer a quick, convenient solution to finding a partner, these apps omit the best parts of a person. Those with the most attractive photo may not have the kindest heart, and the guy with a poorly written bio might be the funniest person in every room. These are things we only learn from face-to-face interactions with people.

The constant rejection many men are facing on dating apps doesnt necessarily correlate to how successful they will be when meeting women in person, and its important men realize this. Daters filter out many suitable matches when swiping on dating apps, but attraction grows easier in real-life situations.

Luckily, its not all doom and gloom like the manosphere claims, and men can take this situation into their own hands and improve their chances of finding love. Whether thats through therapy or going to the gym, or both, by committing to themselves and their mental health, men can generate the love life they want. But will they step up to the plate?

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Why Are There More Lonely, Single Men Than Ever Before? - Evie Magazine

Call me Tumi, says Boitumelo Semete-Makototlela. This, after an awkward do we shake hands nowadays or not? in the doorway of her Centurion home. Unexpected winter rain had clogged up the roads and drawn out the school run, putting Tumi, casually dressed in a grey workout tracksuit, slightly behind schedule.

I drop the two of them off at school myself every morning because its important to me that we use that time to connect, she says, adjusting her stylish spectacles.

Semete-Makokotlelas son (7) and daughter (11) have left half-packed bags in the den ahead of a week with their paternal grandparents. I am going away with Khotso [her husband, a civil engineer]. If we didnt schedule time away together, we would quickly become strangers. Of course the kids are insisting we install Wi-Fi at gogos, Semete-Makototlela laughs.

Their 43-year-old mother got the job of running the countrys medicines regulator, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra), at a pivotal point: three months before Covid hit South Africa in 2020.

At the age of 39, considerably younger than many of her predecessors, the relatively obscure public entity Semete-Makokotlela was leading was transformed practically overnight into a household name in the middle of a political maelstrom.

SARS-CoV-2, the rapidly changing virus that causes Covid-19, triggered a noisy scramble for the approval of Covid tests, jabs and treatments within a year of her appointment, leaving the relatively young scientist with the task of not only reducing Sahpras approval processes from years to months, but also facing extreme political pressure from parties such as the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to approve the use of jabs from countries such as China and Russia, whose products the EFF believed were deliberately being overlooked in exchange for shots from Western countries.

No medicine or health product can be used in South Africa without the manufacturers of such goods submitting data for Sahpra to review. Sahpra then studies the information to see if it accurately reflects how effective (or not) the product is, and if its safe to use.

In June last year, EFF leader Julius Malema threatened Semete-Makokotlela with militant mass action if Sahpra didnt approve the Russian and Chinese jabs within seven days.

Semete-Makokotlela held the line. I was worried about the safety of my children and husband, but I wasnt scared. I was going to stand up against improper influences. To me it was clear: we were going to make decisions based on science, and no movement or political party was going to change that.

Although Sahpra gave Chinas Sinovac jab conditional emergency approval that July, it rejected Russias Sputnik V four months later because of a lack of safety data.

Semete-Makokotlelas smooth handling of things wasnt unexpected.

According to her PhD supervisor, Antonel Olckers (Semete-Makokotlela received a doctorate in biochemistry from North West University in 2005), [With Tumis appointment] people were asking, dont you think shes too young? Arent you worried shell fail?

But Olckers simply shook her head and responded: Give this woman the tools and get out of her way.

Semete-Makokotlela was born in Soweto in 1979, the first child of Benjamin and Sheila Semete. She starts to say it was a typical upbringing, but catches herself and instead says: Well, South Africas an interesting place it was, even then. Her parents lived and worked (mostly worked) with the single-minded purpose of buying a good education for their three children.

To enable their work, I was sent to live with my aunt in Orlando, sleeping on the kitchen floor because the house was small and very full. I laugh about this all the time with my cousins, and wecanlaugh because it was a joyful time.

The phrase joyful time often precedes the telling of less happy times, and in Semete-Makokotlelas case, the event that marked the end of her carefree childhood was a move to Zone 2, Diepkloof.

My mom wanted to move us to a better school a Catholic school.

She liked the school I loved what the nuns were about the order and the cleanliness but Diepkloof? Not so much.

The area was largely Tsonga-speaking, but I didnt speak Tsonga. And being from this prim and proper school, we were given a hard time by kids from less privileged schools.

Semete-Makokotlelas response was to stay indoors and dream of leaving.

The rejection of ones circumstances can be such a powerful driver in life, and it can do that positively or negatively. I think my own life has been greatly shaped by a desire to escape.

Political unrest in the late 1980s led to repeated school shutdowns and stayaways, compelling Semete-Makokotlelas parents to place their three children in suburban schools nearer central Johannesburg. Leaving for school at dawn and arriving home at dusk became the norm, and with her sports bag in hand and wearing her Northview High blazer, Tumis alienation intensified.

Soweto is a very open and communal society, and the unsaid expectation is that you will socialise quite well, but I didnt fit in. Even now, when I go back, it is just to visit my

Her voice trails off, until with the resolve of someone who had contemplated not mentioning it, she says: My father passed away a month ago yesterday.

He was a good man. People, especially moms friends, keep saying that he was such a good father, a good husband.

In her eulogy, Semete-Makokotlela said she is who she is because of the sacrifices her father made.

I dont have memories of going on holiday with my dad, because he chose to work. He missed my PhD graduation. I was shattered.Does work mean that much to you, that you cant come, just today?But that is the man he was; so many big moments that he contributed to financially, yet was never present for. It created a void, but you get over it because you realise thats how he loves.

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From her father, Semete-Makokotlela learnt a work ethic that would serve her well at the University of Pretoria. The institution accepted her application to study biomedical technology, a choice inspired by the most fantastic Standard 8 (Grade 10) biology teacher, who introduced the subject of genetics.

But for this self-described girl from Soweto, Tuks was freedom an almost disastrous dose, in fact.

I loved the diversity of the place and the fact that I was side-by-side with the [prestigious] St Marys girls Id envied from a distance at high school. I loved partying in Hatfield, too, and failed the first semester.

Fearing her parents judgement, Tumi pivoted.

I was, like, this is it Im going to create structure and I am going to learn to self-regulate, and I did.

Semete-Makokotlelas focus is legendary among those who know her. Unparalleled, is how Olckers describes it. The mention of her masters and doctoral thesis supervisor elicits a grin from Tumi.

Wooh, that woman! She made us work, hey. When you submitted a thesis chapter, you just knew it was coming back with red marks all over, to the point where, today, I use a blue pen when critiquing students work!

If her fathers example taught her about hard work, it was in Olckers lab that she learnt about uncompromising standards.

Tumi says: Sometimes we would sleep in the lab, rush home in the morning to shower, and come back whatever it took to avoid disappointing Antonel. She was very firm, but you knew it was well intended she really wanted all of us to succeed. And we have.

Olckers has a photo from Tumis graduation ceremony where she stands alongside fellow students Marco Alessandrini, now the chief technical officer of a biosciences company in Switzerland, and (now professor) Wayne Towers, who chairs the ethics committee at North West University.

They were an exceptional class, come to think of it, says Olckers, who demands three things of her students that they write a paper, present at a conference and, if at all possible, work overseas, because a doctorate isnt a Nobel prize it doesnt set you up for life. As a scientist, you compete internationally. Its not enough to be the best in South Africa.

After receiving her doctoral degree in biochemistry, Semete-Makokotlela joined the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) as a researcher and then took up a postdoctoral research fellowship with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne.

She recalls: Man, it was a massive confidence boost for me to realise that we are on par in South Africa. The equipment was the same they just had more of it, and from a knowledge perspective I found I knew the same things, and some things I knew better.

The sometimes reclusive scientist also came to a new appreciation of her home countrys social warmth.

Switzerland, for all its virtues, is a terribly lonely place people keep to themselves. I missed being in a taxi with people chatting away.

Semete-Makokotlela returned to South Africa in 2011 mindful of something Olckers used to repeat: that most students will always be followers only a few have what it takes to lead.

I have never felt that I am innately a leader, she says, explaining that her confidence in this regard built gradually, with tenure.

I am an introspective person and as I gained in experience, I realised I do bring a few things to an organisation, like an ability to articulate clearly what I want to get done in the current moment, and to then follow through and get things done.

A two-year stint as a Mckinsey Leadership Fellow exposed Semete-Makokotlela to the world of management consulting, where she witnessed first-handhow biotechnology businesses operate. This, as much as her experience as a researcher, caught the attention of McLean Sibanda, who recruited Tumi to lead a biotechnology incubator within a Gauteng provincial government project called the Innovation Hub. Here, she helped small and medium-sized businesses with the commercialisation of their biotech innovations.

Sibanda found Tumi to be teachable, a great listener, but also someone with strong ideas all good traits for any leader in a fast-moving industry.

He wasnt surprised to learn, after two years, that the CSIR wanted Tumi back, this time in an executive role as the head of the biosciences department. In many ways, it was a foreshadowing of the scrutiny Tumi would come under at Sahpra.

When Tumi learnt of the Sahpra opportunity from a pharmacist friend, she was initially sceptical.

I had never seen myself in a regulatory space, but the more I thought about it, the more I realised I understand something of the role and workings of the national health products regulator, and I care about its proper functioning.

She applied for the job, thinking, I know Im a person that gets things done at least I can make a small difference.

According to Professor Helen Rees, who chairs the Sahpra board, Tumi was appointed primarily because her vision of what she wanted to do was so clearly and powerfully articulated.

Semete-Makokotlela knew she needed to get myself a good team and she did. But, she says, they probably didnt like me much the first two years. I mean, we didnt sleep, we worked over weekends, we worked at night.

And its that type of determination, Rees says, that Tumi uses to pull through difficult times.

You might not know this, but shes a serious triathlete, as is her husband. When she gets home, she doesnt sit on the couch shes talking to you from her bike. If her phones off, shes probably swimming across some or other dam. DM/MC

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'Call me Tumi,' says the young female scientist lea... - Daily Maverick

The Roets family of the Eastern Capes Barkly East district has been associated with South Devon cattle for approximately 90 years. Yet it was only in 2017 that PD Roets registered a stud. Mike Burgess visited him to find out more about his commitment to the selective breeding of South Devons in this cold, mountainous area.

Our familys long association with the South Devon breed has now been registeredin a system of science and measurement, says PD Roets, the fourth generation of his family to farm these cattle in the Eastern Cape highlands, but the first to register a stud.

This took place five years ago. I love the South Devon and wanted to better manage the breeds [genetic] potential in my beef operation. There are costs associated [with having a stud], but theyre a small price to pay for crucial benefits like being more scientific about selecting cows.

You cant farm effectively by bringing in cows at weaning and culling the poor-looking ones, because they could be the best-producing animals.

Today, Roetss South Devon enterprise consists of 120 medium-framed stud and 80 commercial breeding females. It forms part of an extensive livestock operation, which includes Merinos, on 3 600ha in the Barkly East district.

Part of this area comprises the Roets family farm, Percivale. The South Devons are run exclusively on the veld, while 50ha of pastures are used for the lambing of 900 Merino ewes and to fatten livestock before they are culled for the market.

Roetss great-grandfather, Jannie, started crossing South Devons with Afrikaners on the family farm in the 1930s. This programme laid the foundation for his son, JPJ, and Jannie (his grandson, PDs father) to run hardy and adapted commercial South Devons in the rugged and cold mountainous country of the extreme north-eastern Cape.

Theyre medium-framed cattle that can walk the mountains, says Roets. Also, the cold can be harsh on cattle, but the South Devon has a thick coat, which it loses in summer. Having grown up with South Devons, Roets unsurprisingly developed an affinity for the breed.

This later turned into a dogged determination to be the first Roets to register a stud. After matriculating at Marlow Agricultural High School in Cradock in 2006, he spent ayear on the farm.

He then went to work for an irrigation company in Kansas in the US, earning enough money to purchase 20 top commercial South Devon cows from his father. This investment in 2009 kick-started Roetss journey towards registering the Percivale South Devon Stud within the family farming operation.

From 2009, Roets began to build genetic diversity in his herd by acquiring bulls from the respected (albeit now deregistered) Andiro South Devon herd of Ian Turnbull near Barkly East. In 2016, he bought his first stud bull, JM 14 1806, from the Miller family near Cathcart, owners of the Winston South Devon Stud.

This animal has proved hugely influential. Buying him was one of my best decisions. I still use him in the stud and commercial herds, says Roets. Another notable acquisition was the 2018South Devon BLUP Bull of the Year from the Bellary South Devon Stud of Dan Kriek near Tweeling in the Free State.

And in recent years, Roets has also acquired Winston South Devon Stud bulls bred from polled New Zealand South Devon genetics. In addition, he has focused on purchasing quality female animals to boost the genetic depthof his herd.

In 2018, for example, he bought 25 heifers (some fully registered with SA Stud Book, and others Appendix A animals), followed by 20 in-calf stud cows in 2019, all from the Millers.

By 2019, Roets had marketed three performance tested (Phase D) Percivale South DevonStud bulls at the annual Winston South Devon Production Sale. This sale has represented a valuable marketing platform for the genetics built up by Roets, and he achieved a top price of R50 000 for a bull in 2020.

He also sells a few bulls annually from Percivale and breeds a significant number of his own bulls for use in both his stud and commercial herds.

Although he regards the production of top-quality bulls as crucial, Roets stresses the importance of breeding hardy and fertile female animals that produce fast-growing calves. His mediumframed cows, weighing on average 490kg at weaning, are expected to produce on the veld with a protein lick in winter and a phosphate lick in summer.

They are treated for internal and external parasites in July, and six weeks before mating to ensure optimal production. The bulls are put to the cows in single-sire herds in a breeding season starting on 20 November and lasting for three months.

Conception rates of 95% to 99% have been achieved, although in the current season, an outbreak of three-day stiff-sickness pushed the conception rate down to just below 90%. The herds exceptional fertility is perhaps best illustrated by the fact that it achievedthe best average herd intercalving period of all South African South Devon studs for the past four consecutive years.

This year, the herd achieved an average intercalving period of 368 days. Heifers go to the bull for the first time at two years at an average weight of 400kg, as they require time to grow out sufficiently on the tough, extensive conditions of Barkly East before mating.

Cows wean just over 50% of their own weight, producing weaners with an average weight of between 220kg and 250kg, with the oldest at weaning being seven months and the youngest four months old.

All high-quality weaned heifers are retained in the stud herd, and those that dont make selection are used as replacements in the commercial herd.

To improve selection pressure in the herd, Roets plans to boost his stud to as many as 450 animals at the expense of his Merinos. Asked if he has any regrets about registering a stud, he replies: I have only one that I didnt start earlier! Managing a stud has been a pleasure, especially as South Devon breeders like the Millers have been so helpfull

Phone PD Roets on 082 645 9373, or email him at [emailprotected]

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South Devon cows and heifers: the central pillar of stud efficiency - Farmer's Weekly SA

BY GARETH WILLMER

Game theory mathematics is used to predict outcomes in conflict situations. Now it is being adapted through big data to resolve highly contentious issues between people and the environment.

Game theory is a mathematical concept that aims to predict outcomes and solutions to an issue in which parties with conflicting, overlapping or mixed interests interact.

In theory, the game will bring everyone towards an optimal solution or equilibrium. It promises a scientific approach to understanding how people make decisions and reach compromises in real-world situations.

Game theory originated in the 1940s in the field of economics. The Oscar-winning movieA Beautiful Mind (2001)is about the life of mathematician John Nash (played by Russell Crowe), who was awarded the1994 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciencesfor his work in this area.

Although the concept has been around for many decades, the difference now is the ability to build it into computer-based algorithms, games and apps to apply it more broadly, said Professor Nils Bunnefeld, a social and environmental scientist at the University of Stirling, UK. This is particularly true in the age of big data.

Game theory as a theoretical idea has long been around to show solutions to conflict problems, he said. We really see the potential to move this to a computer to make the most of the data that can be collected, but also reach many more people.

Conservation conflicts

Prof Bunnefeld led the EU-backedConFooBioproject, which applied game theory to scenarios where people were in conflict over resources and the environment. His team wanted to develop a model for predicting solutions to conflicts between food security and biodiversity.

The starting point was that when we have two or more parties at loggerheads, what should we do, for example, with land or natural resources? Should we produce more food? Or should we protect a certain area for biodiversity? he said.

The team focused on seven case studies, ranging from conflicts involving farmers and conservation of geese in Scotland to ones about elephants and crop raiding in Gabon.

ConFooBio conducted more than 300 game workshops with over 900 people in numerous locations including Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Tanzania and Scotland.

Ecological challenges

Prof Bunnefeld realised it became necessary to step back from pure game theory and instead build more complex games to incorporate ecological challenges the world currently faces, like climate change. It also became necessary to adopt a more people-based approach than initially planned, to better target the games.

Participants included people directly involved in these conflicts, and in many cases that were very unhappy, said Prof Bunnefeld.

Through the games, we got high engagement from communities, even from those where conflict is high and people can be reluctant to engage in research. We showed that people are able to solve conflicts when they trust each other and have a say, and when they get adequate payments for conservation efforts.

The team developed a modelling framework to predict wildlife management outcomes amid conflict. Freely available, it has been downloaded thousands of times from theConFooBio website.

Conservation game

The researchers also created an accessible game about conservation calledCrops vs Creatures, in which players decide between a range of options from shooting creatures to allocating habitat for conservation.

Prof Bunnefeld hopes these types of game become more available on a mainstream basis via app stores such as one on conflicts in the realm of biodiversity and energy justice in a separate initiative he works on called the Beacon Project.If you tell people you have an exciting game or you have a complex model, which one are they going to engage with? I think the answer is pretty easy, he said.

In the ConFooBio project, weve been able to show that our new models and algorithms can adapt to new situations and respond to environmental and social changes, added Prof Bunnefeld. Our models are useful for suggesting ways of managing conflicts between stakeholders with competing objectives.

Social media dynamics

Another project,Odycceus, harnessed elements of game theory to investigate what social media can tell us about social dynamics and potentially assist in the early detection of emerging social conflicts.

They analysed the language, content and opinions of social media discussions using data tools.

Such tools are required to analyse the vast amount of information in public discourse, explained Eckehard Olbrich, coordinator of the Odycceus project, and a physicist at the Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciences in Leipzig, Germany.

His work is partially motivated by trying to understand the reasons behind the polarisation of views and the growth of populist movements like far-right organisation Pegida, which was founded in his hometown of Dresden in 2014.

The team created a variety of tools accessible to researchers via an open platform known asPenelope. These included the likes of theTwitter Explorer, which enables researchers to visualise connections between Twitter users and trending topics to help understand how societal debates evolve.

Others included two participatory apps known as the Opinion Observatory and the Opinion Facilitator, which enable people to monitor the dynamics of conflict situations, such as by helping interlink news articles containing related concepts.

Patterns of polarisation

These tools have already allowed us to get a better insight into patterns of polarisation and understanding different world views, said Olbrich.

He said, for example, that his team managed to develop a model about the effect of social feedback on polarisation thatincorporated game-theoretic ideas.

The findings suggested that the formation of polarised groups online was less about the traditional concept of social media bubbles and echo chambers than the way people build their identity by gaining approval from their peers.

He added that connecting the dots between game theory and polarisation could have real-life applications for things like how best to regulate social media.

In a game-theoretic formulation, you start with the incentives of the players, and they select their actions to maximise their expected utility, he said. This allows predictions to be made of how people would change their behaviour if you, for instance, regulate social media.

Olbrich added that he hopes such modelling can furnish a better understanding of democracy and debates in the public sphere, as well as indicating to people better ways to participate in public debates. Then we would have better ways to deal with the conflicts we have and that we have to solve, he said.

But there are also significant challenges in using game theory for real-world situations, explained Olbrich.

Varying outlooks

For example, incorporating cultural differences into game theory has proved difficult because such differences may mean two people have hugely varying ways of looking at a problem.

The problem with game theory is that its looking for solutions to the way a problem can be solved, added Prof Bunnefeld.

Having looked at conflicts over the last few years, to me it is clear that we cant solve conflicts, we can only manage them. Building in factors like climate change and local context is also complex.

But game theory is a useful way to explore models, games and apps for dealing with conflicts, he said. Game theory is, from its very simple basics to quite complex situations, a good entry point, said Prof Bunnefeld.

It gives us a framework that you can work through and also captures peoples imagination.

Research in this article was funded via the EUsEuropean Research Council and originally publishedin Horizon, the EU Research and Innovation Magazine.

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Searching the skies for the building blocks of life in the universe - Modern Diplomacy

This story originally appeared inbioGraphic, an online magazine about nature and sustainability powered by the California Academy of Sciences.

On a golden morning in early October, two graduate students from New Mexico State University plunge into the icy current of Leandro Creek. The small waterway flows through the 550,000-acre Vermejo Park Ranch, a reserve in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of northern New Mexico. Today, the crew will trace the streams course toward its headwaters on the flanks of a volcanic cone called Ash Mountain, in search of an unusual fish.

Kelsie Field, 25, a graduate student in the Department of Wildlife and Conservation Ecology wears a pair of worn gray waders and totes two 8-gallon buckets, one full of water, the other, of scientific geartest tubes, an electronic scanner, surgical implements. Michael Miller, 30, a fellow graduate student in the same department, also clad in waders, shoulders a large, waterproof backpack containing a battery attached to an electrode that resembles a metal detector like those used by treasure hunters.

Michael Miller and Kelsie Field, graduate student researchers from New Mexico State University, electrofish a small stream that runs through Vermejo Park Ranch.

This, Miller dips into the creek, squeezing the handle to send some 300 volts through the water. While the crews rubber boots insulate them from the shock, the resident fish are exposed to the electrical current. Stunned, they drift to the surface just long enough for Miller to net them and deposit them in Fields bucket. Most measure around 10 inches. Some are no larger than a pinky. Occasionally, though, Millers handle bends sharply as he nets a hunchbacked specimen of 16 inches or moreapex predators gorged on smaller fish, in this waterway scarcely wider than a city sidewalk.

There are just two species here. One is an embattled native, the Rio Grande cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki virginalis), distinguished by its cream-colored skin, mottling of black spots and a vibrant orange slash under the jaw. Once widely distributed in rivers and streams across northern New Mexico and southern Colorado, the Rio Grande cutthroat is now found across a mere 10 percent of its historical range. And like others among the dozen or so subspecies of cutthroat trout in the western United States, today its reeling under the pressures of climate change, habitat loss, andin the case of Leandro Creeka hardy intruder.

Which brings us to the more prolific species writhing in Millers netthe brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). The smaller brookies are sleek and silvery. The adults, though, wear their spawning finery, their sides a riot of red and blue spots, their bellies orange as a ripe mandarin. The fishs colors are otherworldly, as if they have somehow absorbed into the riotous canvas of their skin the ragged beauty of the place in which they live.

Michael Miller, a graduate student at New Mexico State University. | Photo by Jeremy Miller

How this beautiful interloper from eastern North America got to this place is unclear, beyond that it was part of a human-aided diaspora that loosed brook trout into high-altitude lakes and creeks across the West, from northwest Washington to southern New Mexico. There, brookies voracious appetites and rapid sexual maturation have spelled trouble not only for native trout like bull, rainbow, California golden, and cutthroat, which they outcompete, but also for a host of other aquatic organisms, including frogs and salamanders.

As Miller and Field shock and scoop their way upcreek, though, a pattern that could be the key to Leandro Creeks salvation becomes apparent. Brook trout may greatly outnumber the Rio Grande cutthroat here, in some stretches by more than five to one, but nearly every single one of the brookies the crew captures is male.

Researcher Michael Miller presents acutthroattrout from a small stream on Vermejo Park Ranch. | Photo by Jeremy Miller

Thats because many are a lab-produced variety known as Trojan brook trout. They are unique in that they carry not one, but two copies of the Y chromosome that codes maleness; they have no X chromosome to pass on. Unlike many creatures, including humans, fish can survive without an X, and seem unimpaired by the lack. And since 2018, Miller, the lead researcher on the project, and his predecessors have been carrying out a bold new experiment, stocking various streams across the Vermejo reserve with this strain in an attempt to tilt the brook trout sex ratio so far male that eventually the population will stop breeding and blink out on its own. Similar efforts are also underway in a handful of creeks in Idaho, Washington, and Oregon, and Nevada plans to embark on its own stocking program this summer.

Until now, the main tool to eliminate invasive fish species has been the potent chemical rotenone. The trouble is that it also kills all the other fish, including the ones you are trying to conserve, says Colleen Caldwell, a professor of fish and wildlife at New Mexico State University and a principal investigator overseeing the Leandro Creek project. Researchers are still trying to understand if Trojan trout behave enough like wild male trout to convince females to breed with them, as well as whether they can thrive enough in their new environment to tip the scales in the Rio Grande cutthroats favor. But the hope is that managers can use the imposters as a precision scalpel to excise brookies from stream systems, rather than bombing them with an indiscriminate chemical agent.

Despite the methods promise, modifying organisms into flesh-and-blood weapons to achieve ecological ends raises questions about both ethics and unforeseen outcomes. No matter what people say, the long-term effects of these things are just unknown, says Marc Bekoff, an emeritus biology professor at the University of Colorado-Boulder and a prominent behavioral biologist. Their goals might seem laudable today, but with rapidly reproducing organisms, you might not even know whats going to happen in half a year.

Is the Trojan brook trout a more humane tool for saving native fish, as its proponents insist? Or will it cause its own cascade of problemsa 21st-century version of what well-meaning people wrought when they unleashed its ancestors?

Brook trout, native to the eastern United States, made their way into streams and lakes across the West thanks to European settlers looking to bring with them a small, living piece of their adopted homeland. | Photo by Nick Hawkins

Brook trout are, in some ways, a good problem to have. They can live only in clean, cold water, so their presence indicates a waterway untainted by pollution. Fittingly, their scientific name, Salvelinus fontinalis, translates to living in springs, evoking the frigid, rushing streams where the fish thrive. Twenty thousand years ago, at the height of the Pleistocene, brook trout were confined to waterways at the margins of glaciers, which extended deep into the interior of North America. As the glaciers ebbed, the species spread throughout the Appalachians, Great Lakes, and deep into the Canadian interior. But an insurmountable natural barrier stopped their spread farther west: The Mississippi River was too warm for them, barring access to high-altitude waterways on the other side of the continent.

It was newly arrived Europeans who helped them cross that barrierand in large numbers. As the American frontier expanded, settlers, perhaps nostalgic for a living piece of their adopted eastern homelands, planted brook trout in streams and lakes in the Rockies, Cascades, and Sierra Nevada. The railways sped the brook trouts westward migration, with trains carrying specially designed fish cars filled with eastern species, including striped bass, brown trout, and brook trout. The fish-laden trains traveled the rail lines along the shores of rivers and lakes. From there, the piscine cargo could easily be transferredby way of trucks or milk cans hauled by handinto the water.

A pseudoscientific concept known as acclimatization, in vogue in the late 19th century, also accelerated the process. Contrary to todays environmental orthodoxy, adherents believed that introduced species improved ecological conditions. As author Kim Todd writes in Tinkering With Eden, Ponds and lakes, rather than being viewed as complex ecosystems, were treated as outdoor aquariums waiting to be filled. Even the Sierra Club, which now runs campaigns against invasive species, was involved, transplanting large numbers of brook and other trout into lakes and streams along its guided routes through the High Sierra so that paying customers could have an authentic wilderness experience.

Trojan brook trout in a small stream in New Mexico's Vermejo Park Ranch. | Photo by Jeremy Miller

Perhaps the single most prolific transplanter of brook trout was Finis Mitchell, a Wyoming railroad worker turned fishing guide. During the Great Depression, Mitchell and his wife, Emma, carried an estimated 2.5 million fingerling brook, rainbow, golden, and brown trout in milk cans to lakes across Wyomings Wind River Range. These waters were all virgin and were just full of water lice, leeches, freshwater shrimp, Mitchell wrote in his slim guidebook and memoir Wind River Trails. [T]hose fish just gorged themselves. Some of the brook trout weighed three pounds [after] the third year.

Later, state and federal wildlife officials stocked remote lakes from airplanes and helicopters for the benefit of anglersa practice that continues to this day. By these thousands of acts, the brook trout became a fixtureand, by most ecological measures, a pestin waterways across the West. I remain fully confident that if a nuclear holocaust should eliminate most of Earths life forms, wrote Edwin Pister, a long-time fisheries biologist for the California Department of Fish and Game, survivors would include not only cockroaches but brook trout as well.

As a destructive force, they have had plenty of company. Forty-two percent of endangered species in the US have been significantly impacted by invasive species, according to the federal Environmental Protection Agency. Among aquatic species, the numbers are starker, with invasives implicated in 70 percent of extinctions.

After the passage of landmark environmental laws like the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act in the 1970s, fisheries managers began a slow pivot away from their primary mission of rearing and releasing fish. Today, though they still stock some sport fisheries, state and federal wildlife agencies also work to restore the native populations and ecosystems they helped compromise, by joining the war on invasive species. In the case of brook trout, theyve waged that war with massive volumes of poison and vast piles of tax dollars, often with little result.

Enter the Trojan brook trout.

Fish culturist Tom Lindenmuth oversees the Trojan trout rearing operation at the Hayspur Fish Hatchery. | Photo by Jeremy Miller

On a snowy day in November, I visit the Hayspur Fish Hatchery, near Sun Valley, Idaho. The Trojan brook trout that inhabit Leandro Creek were made here, as were those plying streams in other states. Tom Lindenmuth, a fish culturist and manager who oversees the operation at the 115-year-old state hatchery, greets me at the front door, pulling his mask tightly over his nose, which accentuates his nasal northern-tier accent and causes his glasses to fog up. Sorry, but the state says weve got to wear these, he says.

The program got its start in 2008 at a different Idaho hatchery, the brainchild of Dan Schill, a now-retired fish biologist from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Born and raised in western Pennsylvania, Schill grew up fishing for brookies in the wooded creeks of the East and developed an ambivalence toward the species that drove his work. The reason Im a trout stream biologist is because I fell in love with the native brook trout in western Pennsylvania, he tells me. But of course out west theyve had a pretty darn negative effect, particularly on our cutthroat stocks.

Schill first encountered the idea of producing super-male fish when a presenter at a conference offhandedly mentioned something called the Trojan Y chromosome approach near the end of a talk. It was all a theoretical thing, he recalls. But it said if you could create a YY broodstock of an invasive fish and put it on the landscape then, in theory, you could shift the sex ratio to all males. The process begins with forcing male brook trout to undergo a sex change.

My first stop with Lindenmuth is the brick edifice of the incubation building, where this transformation takes place in dozens of blue cylindrical tanks. Inside these early-rearing vats are dozens of larval male brook trout, which look more like tiny brine shrimp with their egg sacs still attached. Once the sacs have been absorbed and the fish are ready to feed, attendants give them food coated with estradiol, a form of the female hormone estrogen. Over a two-month period, the estradiol turns their sperm-producing testes into ovaries, and the genetically male fish become capable of laying eggs. But the process doesnt end there.

At the Hayspur Fish Hatchery. | Photo by Jeremy Miller

When hatchery workers breed these fish with normal XY males, 25 percent of their offspring will be female with two X chromosomes. Fifty percent will be typical males with an X and Y chromosome. But 25 percent will be the special variety key to the genetic population control scheme: males with two Y chromosomes. Some of the YYs will be given estradiol, causing them to form ovaries and produce eggs. These feminized YY fish are then crossed with YY males to create the hatcherys broodstock. The other YYs will be transplanted into streams. If and when these super-male brook trout fertilize the eggs of wild female brook trout, they will produce 100 percent male offspring.

Opposite the rearing vats, Lindenmuth shows me several rows of incubation cabinets filled with dozens of small trays divided into squares. Within each square are hundreds of brook trout eggs, the lot of which were laid by a single feminized YY male. He removes a tray and gently scoops up a handful of glistening, golden spheres. The eggs, he explains, will be treated with Ovadine, a chemical that strengthens their shells for shippingso much so that they will bounce like a rubber ball if dropped on the floor. Then, they will be packed in wet paper towels and ice and mailed to hatcheries in Washington, Oregon, Nevada, and New Mexico.

Trays of trout eggs await shipping to hatcheries in Washington, Oregon, Nevada, and New Mexico. | Photo by Jeremy Miller

To keep estradiol from leaching into surrounding waterways and causing a similar sex transformation in wild fish, Lindenmuth says, the hatchery uses a sophisticated water recycling system comprised of several large, wall-mounted charcoal filters, which cleanse hundreds of gallons of water every hour before discharging it to a septic system. And because the fish directly exposed to estradiol never leave the hatchery, Lindenmuth explains, there is no danger that they will dose waterways, or fishermen who might catch and eat them, with a concentrated dose of hormones.

We leave the incubation building and make our way across the snowy ground to two metal silos that house sexually mature broodstock fish after theyre sorted. Within each building is a tank divided by a central barrier. Lindenmuth walks out onto the narrow walkway above one. On the left side, a school of sperm-producing YY males swims frenetically in a kaleidoscopic swirl, easily a hundred strong. On the right, a school of feminized, egg-laying YY males cruise along the tanks perimeter.

Lindenmuth grabs a long-handled net and jabs it into the left side of the tank. The metal pole strains and bounces as he withdraws a fish, then places the net flat on the walkway. Nearly two feet long and weighing a pound and a half, the fish is a YY male. In the dim light, the blood-red slash of its gills glows against the metallic sheen of its skin. Here lays the biological scalpel. But I have to wonder: Does this blade cut both ways?

Miller and Field scan a brook trout. | Photo by Jeremy Miller

Back at the Vermejo reserve, Miller and Field continue upstream. Every 50 meters, they pause and sit on the streambank at designated intervals marked with pink flagging to take stock of their catch. Miller reaches into the ice-cold water of the bucket. Suddenly his forearms tense and he raises a sleek silhouetteanother YY brook trout. Well over half the fish they count at this given waypoint are of the Trojan variety. Field makes quick swipe of the fish with a handheld scanner, which returns a beep. This indicates that the fish contains a scannable PIT tag, no larger than a grain of rice, which contains vital information such as where and when the fish was hatched and when it was released. As Field jots the measurement onto a spreadsheet, Miller inspects the fish quickly, sliding thumb and index finger along its underbelly, which produces a spurt of milt, a milky substance containing sperm. Miller then notes the missing adipose fin, clipped by workers at the Los Ojos Hatchery, near Chama, months earlieranother clear sign that this is a Trojan.

The team, now joined by seasonal field technicians Cameron Cole and Valentin Perez, who earlier were electrofishing a rugged stretch of the upper watershed, quickly counts the larger fish. Then Miller delicately retrieves the fingerlings from the bucket, enthusiastically calling out genetics! These small fish are cause for excitement because they may be the offspring of YY males that are breeding with wild females in the creek. By the end of the second spawning season, in 2020, 75 percent of the fish captured in Leandro Creek were male. Moreover, almost 30 percent of the juveniles captured from test streams around Vermejo were the male offspring of YY brook trout, according to lab analysis of a specific sex-marker in the fishs genes. Miller hopes this years percentages will be higher. Only a genetic test will tell for sure. Using a small pair of surgical scissors, Miller cuts away part of the fishs anal fin, then drops it into a vial, which will be sent to a lab for analysis.

Researcher Michael Miller snips off a small piece of fin from a young brook trout. | Photo by Jeremy Miller

The debate around genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, and their potential to harm native species is a heated one. But while there is little doubt that scientists have reshuffled the Trojan trouts existing chromosomes, they havent inserted any foreign genes into their DNA, says Schill. That makes them different from a GMO, like, say, the AquAdvantage salmon featured in a previous bioGraphic story. This transgenic strain of Atlantic salmon, produced in a lab for farming, contains a gene inserted from Pacific Chinook salmon that allows the fish to grow faster than their wild counterparts. Opponents fear that these genetically altered salmonwhich they call Frankenfishcould outcompete or pass their genes along to wild Atlantic salmon populations.

Chemically altering an organism in pursuit of a conservation goal might seem unconventional, but its not a radical departure from the kinds of things that conservationists are generally trying to do, says Ron Sandler, a professor of philosophy at Northeastern University who specializes in bioethics. And its much less radical than assisted evolution, where novel genes are inserted to make creatures better suited to cope with human-altered environments. Sandler points to a new strain of American chestnut that biologists have modified with genes from wheat plants to make them more resistant to the fungal blight that nearly wiped out the trees, which once covered a vast swath of the eastern US. While these techniques might be effective at targeting a few high-interest species, theyre not an effective tool against the bigger crisis, says Sandler. They dont address the underlying causes, which are emissions, extraordinarily high levels of consumption, and human population growth.

New Mexico's Pecos Wilderness provides perfect habitat for cutthroat and brook trout alike. | Photo by Christina Selby

There are other ethical issues to consider too. Marc Bekoff from the University of Colorado says the approach treats the significant alteration and potential suffering of animals too blithely. If someone said to me, Were going to turn you from a male to a female,' Id say, I dont want to be.' Fish, of course, cannot express their consent. Bekoff, who advocates for a humane approach called compassionate conservation, praises the effort to find a nonlethal means to control brook trout populations, but says that scientists all too often forsake the lives of individual organisms for the perceived needs of populations and ecosystems.

And therein lies the bigger problem, says Bekoff: There may be unforeseen consequences from using rapidly reproducing, modified non-native animals as a form of biological control. You could produce a nightmare very quickly, he says.

Take, for example, the famous case of the cane toad (Rhinella marina) brought from Central and South America to Australia in 1935 to help with native beetles that were ravaging the countrys sugarcane fields. Though hailed as an ecologically friendly alternative to pesticides, the toads became a disaster of their own, devouring the continents endemic lizards, snakes, and birds in massive numbers. Today, Australias population of cane toads is estimated at 200 million despite numerous efforts at eradication, all descended from an introduced population of just 100.

Schill dismisses the possibility of such a disaster at Vermejo and other creeks because the underlying ecological context is different. Unlike the toads, brook trout have already colonized the streams into which the new strain is being introduced. Moreover, those streams have barrierssome natural and others manmadethat prevent their movement out of the study area. And since brook trout and cutthroat trout are genetically incompatible and cant breed with one another, there is no risk of creating hybrids.

These colors and patterns are typical of a male brook trout. | Photo by Jeremy Miller

However, some biologists do worry about YY brook trout released into Idaho streams that contain native bull trout. Unlike Leandro Creeks cutthroat, the bull trout, Salvelinus confluentus, is closely related to brook trout and the two can produce hybrid offspring. This interbreeding has decimated bull trout populations across their range and is one of the reasons the species is listed as threatened.

Any kind of hybridization is a bad thing when it comes to bull trout, says Patrick DeHaan, a geneticist with the US Fish and Wildlife Service who has studied the hybridization of bull and brook trout. Id like to see more data and population modeling before saying that this is a safe method for eliminating brook trout from streams that still contain bull trout.

For his part, Schill, too, says hed like to see more funding for such studies. But time is short, he adds, and as science plays catch-up, brook trout continue their advance. Managers at the Idaho Department of Fish and Game see YY fish as a last resort to save the bull trout from extirpation in the state, Schill says. As soon as we can show this works, the Trojan brook trout are going in. You know why? Because without them, the bull trout have no chance.

Brook trout. | Photo by Charlie Summers

The descending sun casts a warm glow on Leandro Creek as the workday approaches its end. Miller and Field have caught, measured, tagged, and released hundreds of fish. By the time they reach the last pink flagging, another pattern has emerged: Leandro Creeks Trojan brookies appear to be thriving and the cutthroat, though fewer in number, are holding their own.

That night, we huddle around a roaring fire to thaw away the chill from hours wading through icy water. Stars flicker into view above Ash Mountain, and in the quiet, we can hear the static of the creek. Miller and Field sip beers and reflect on the waterways possible future. Given enough timeanywhere between five and 15 years, if predictions holdbrook trout reproduction could cease, and Rio Grande cutthroat populations could reclaim their stream, says Miller. Some waterways have been modified beyond any hope of repair. But in other places, we have the ability to fix our mistakes. We have an ethical responsibility to do what we can, where we can, to restore that natural history.

As I listen, Im reminded of an irony befitting our troubled ecological times: This effort to remove brook trout from the West is happening at the same time as the species is losing ground in huge areas of its native range in the East. Logging, mining and fracking have befouled miles of streams and lakes, and acid rain from coal-burning power plants and factories lowered the pH of mountain lakes at heart of the brook trouts range. Suburban and exurban sprawl has also done immense harm. One study found that brook trout rarely survive in watersheds in which more than 4 percent of the land is paved. Global warming has raised water temperatures in large portions of the fishs home range above 68 degrees Fahrenheit, a critical threshold beyond which it cannot survive. In Maryland, brook trout have already disappeared from 62 percent of their historical habitat, and if current rates of warming hold, the species could vanish entirely from the state by centurys end.

To compound the irony, invasive species may pose the gravest threat to brookies, says Schill. On a recent trip home to Pennsylvania, he clambered through thick rhododendron to reach a small brook trout stream that he had fished often in his youth. When he flicked out a cast and felt a tug, he expected to see the telltale orange belly and red and blue spots of a brookie. Instead came the silver flash of a West Coast transplant, Oncorhynchus mykiss, the rainbow trout. Rainbow trout, which were introduced in vast numbers to lakes and rivers in the Appalachians at the same time brook trout were being planted in the Rockies and Sierra, happen to be more heat tolerant and able to thrive in eastern waterways rapidly becoming uninhabitable to brook trout.

The technology employed in removing the brook trout from the West, says Schill, who now works as a fisheries consultant, may prove critical to the species survival in the East. There are people in the southern part of the range, in Tennessee and North Carolina, that are interested in creating a YY rainbow trout, he tells me. Im in discussions with them now.

Original post:
The Tale of the Trojan Trout - Sierra Club

The Imperfectsarrives on Netflix on Sept. 8! Its a science fiction series following three young adults who are on the hunt to track down the mad scientist who transformed them into monsters through experimental gene therapy when they were youth.

Netflix dropped a teaser forThe Imperfects during Geeked Week, and it instantly got people pumped for the shows release. Then, on Sept. 1, the streamer released the exciting official trailer, and now everyones counting down the days until the show drops.

Fortunately, were only a day away fromThe Imperfects release on Netflix. In the meantime, weve decided to get to know the cast. While most of the cast consists of up-and-coming actors, there are also some familiar faces.

Below, we shared a cast and characters guide to whos who in the Netflix science fiction series!

The Imperfects. Italia Ricci as Dr. Sydney Burke in episode 107 of The Imperfects. Cr. Courtesy Of Netflix 2022

Italia plays the role of Dr. Syndey Burke, a gifted scientist looking to fix her past mistakes by helping Juan, Abbi, and Tilda track down the evil scientist who gave them monstrous side effects.

Where have you seen her before?

You might recognize Italia from her role as April Carver in the ABC Family television seriesChasing Life. She also had roles in the TV showsSupergirl,Designated Survivor andThe Good Doctor.

Whats next?

Its unknown what Italia will star in next, but you can catch her as Dr. Sydney Burke inThe Imperfects.

Social media:Instagram

The Imperfects. Iaki Godoy as Juan Ruiz in episode 101 of The Imperfects. Cr. Dan Power/Netflix 2022

Iaki portrays the role of Juan Ruiz, an aspiring graphic novelist who ends up being turned into a chupacabra throughDr. Alex Sarkovs experiment.

Where have you seen him before?

Iaki is best known for his roles in the television seriesLa querida del Centauro,Sin miedo a la verdadandNetflixsWho Killed Sara?

Whats next?

Well see him next in the live-action television adaptation ofOne Piece for Netflix.

Social media:Instagram

The Imperfects. Morgan Taylor Campbell as Tilda Weber in episode 103 of The Imperfects. Cr. Dan Power/Netflix 2022

Morgan plays Tilda Weber, a lead singer of a band whose dreams are crushed after she developssuper-hearing and a destructive vocal power through Dr. Alex Sarkovs experiment. She basically has powers similar to a banshee.

Where have you seen her before?

You mightve seen Morgan in the musical seriesZoeys Extraordinary Playlist and/or the comedy filmSadies Last Days on Earth. She also played Harper in the 2017 superhero filmPower Rangers.

Whats next?

Its unknown what Morgan will star in next at the moment.

Social media:Instagram

The Imperfects. Rhianna Jagpal as Abby Singh in episode 101 of The Imperfects. Cr. Dan Power/Netflix 2022

Rhianna plays Abbi Singh, a determinedgeneticist who develops abilitiesthat give her a Succubus-like control over anyone around her after undergoing Dr. Alex Sarkovs experiment.

Where have you seen her before?

Rhianna is known for her roles in the teen rom-comTo All the Boys: Always and Forever,the sci-fi seriesMotherland: Fort Salem and the anthology seriesTwo Sentence Horror Stories.

Whats next?

Rhiannas following projects are unknown at the moment.

Social media:Instagram

The Imperfects. Rhys Nicholson as Dr. Alex Sarkov in episode 101 of The Imperfects. Cr. Dan Power/Netflix 2022

Rhys portrays the role of Dr. Alex Sarkov, an evil scientist whose goal is torewrite the human genome and bring about the next stage of human evolution. He experimented on Juan, Abbi, and Tilda and turned them intomonster-human mutants.

Where have you seen them before?

You might recognize Rhys as a judge onRuPauls Drag Race Down Under.

Whats next?

You can catch Rhys in season 2 ofRuPauls Drag Race Down Under.

Social media:Instagram

The Imperfects. Kyra Zagorsky as Finch in episode 103 of The Imperfects. Cr. Courtesy Of Netflix 2022

Kyra plays Isabel Finch, a woman who wants to track down Dr. Alex Sarkov for her own reasons. However, if she finds Dr. Alex Sarkov before Juan, Abbi, and Tilda do, they might not be able to become human again.

Where have you seen her before?

You might know Kyra from her roles in the TV showsContinuum,Helix,ArrowandThe 100.

Whats next?

Its unknown what projects Kyra will star in next.

Social media:Twitter

The Imperfects. Celina Martin as Hannah in episode 110 of The Imperfects. Cr. Courtesy Of Netflix 2022

Celina portrays the role of Hannah Moore, a woman who also underwent Dr. Alex Sarkovs experimental gene therapy. Hannah has a hard time balancing helping Juan, Tilda, and Abbi while also assisting Isabel Finch.

Where have you seen her before?

Celina is known for her roles in the television seriesThe Other Kingdom and the dystopian thrillerLevel 16.

Whats next?

She doesnt have any upcoming projects at the moment.

Social media:Instagram

The Imperfectslands on Netflix on Sept. 8 at 12:00 a.m. PT/3:00 a.m. ET!

View original post here:
The Imperfects cast guide: Whos who in the Netflix sci-fi series? - Netflix Life

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Helena McCabe, the 34-year-old founder of The TBCD Foundation from Gotha, Florida. It has been edited for length and clarity.

Three days. That's how long I gave myself to grieve before I got into action. Getting a terminal diagnosis for my 16-month-old son was, hands down, the worst day of my life but I've never been a quitter.

If you talk to my friends, they'll tell you I'm the person to call when you're getting the runaround and need someone to get things done. Fiery, committed, and loyal, there was no way that I was going to concede and watch my son die.

Max was diagnosed with a TBCD tubulin folding cofactor D gene mutation, an ultrarare genetic-neurological condition, two days before Thanksgiving in 2021. He was 16 months old then, and he's 2 years old now. It's like ALS for babies, and affects his ability to walk and talk. Kids with TBCD mutations usually lose all purposeful movement and vision by the age of 4, and the average lifespan is under five years.

TBCD is referred to as an orphan disease. The medical community often uses this term to describe a disease so rare that the medical and pharmacological industries have given up researching treatments because not enough people experience it for there to be a profit margin.

There are currently about 20 children in the world diagnosed with TBCD; since we've begun awareness campaigns with other TBCD families, other families with children who have been misdiagnosed with things like cerebral palsy are discovering that they actually have TBCD but the number of people diagnosed and still alive is unlikely to have broken 30.

That means it might be more common than originally thought, and because the gene is not included in standard prenatal-genetic testing and diagnosis tests, people have no way to know if they're carriers without specifically testing for it.

Before my husband and I conceived, we had our genetics tested because cystic fibrosis runs in his family. The doctor gave us the green light as far as that was concerned; we were good to go. Because TBCD is so rare, screening for it is not included in standard genetic testing and we came to find out both of us are carriers. Our neurologist said that it's so rare, we would have had better odds winning the lottery twice, which obviously would have been better.

When my husband and I talked about what we were going to do, we decided to go all-in on helping all kids with TBCD and started The TBCD Foundation, which is dedicated to raising funds for research.

Several families with children who had TBCD did not jump on board the way I thought they would. For some people, it's more painful to hope than it is to deal with the anticipatory grief. Most parents don't even get a second opinion when their child receives a terminal diagnosis. But we did find two other mothers who were happy to help.

Between the three of us, we emailed thousands of researchers. We emailed everyone who might be able to do anything; any researcher who had written a paper on it or worked on something similar. Each time, we were met with the same response different variations of "no."

Without funding, and given that TBCD is an orphan disease, no one wanted to touch it. That was until we heard from Dr. Allison Bradbury, an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Ohio State College of Medicine and a principal investigator in the Center for Gene Therapy at the Abigail Wexner Research Institute.

After seeing Landon one of the other children from the TBCD Foundation on the news in January 2022, Bradbury reached out to us. She let us know that she wanted to help. Her work focuses on research and therapy development in the field of rare pediatric-neurodegenerative disorders, and she was willing to talk.

Ever since Bradbury came on board to help us with the research, we've learned a lot about the disease and how it affects every patient differently. For example, now I know that where the mutation lies on the gene dictates how quickly the disease will affect the person.

Max is one of the luckier patients, as his mutation is all the way at the back of the gene. That means he may have more wax in his proverbial candle than some other children diagnosed with TBCD, but with the progressively debilitating disease threatening his eyesight, the few words he's able to say, and his movements growing more compromised with each passing day, we don't have time to waste.

We're going through the first level of the research, and so far, we have promising results. Bradbury is using a technique proven successful in other rare genetic conditions that replaces the broken DNA with a healthy copy. The faster we can utilize this therapy, the more lives we can save and the higher quality of life we can preserve for Max and other patients.

It's going to take $2,000,000 for us to get to clinical trials for Max and the other kids with TBCD. These clinical trials have the potential to save his and the other kids' lives. While there are no guarantees, this is the best hope Max and these kids have for a healthier, happier life.

When Max was diagnosed, I realized I had a choice: accept it, or fight like hell. Instead of sitting, sobbing, and watching my baby boy die, I'm fighting for his life with all I have. My goal isn't for Max to have a normal life, but for him to have a happy one. And that is possible if we can get the funding for this research.

More here:
My son has a rare terminal genetic disorder called TBCD - Insider

IRVINE, Calif. & BASEL, Switzerland(BUSINESS WIRE)Great Place to Work and Fortune magazine have named Urovant Sciences as one of the 2022 Best Workplaces in BioPharma. This is Urovants first time being named to this prestigious list, this year coming in at 17th place. Earning a spot means that Urovant is one of the best biopharma companies to work for in the country.

The Best Workplaces in BioPharma award is based on analysis of survey responses from more than 36,000 employees from Great Place to Work-Certified companies in the biopharma industry. In that survey, 89% of Urovants employees said Urovant is a great place to work. This number is 32% higher than the average U.S. company.

Its an honor to be recognized by Fortune and Great Place to Work, said James Robinson, CEO of Urovant Sciences. We like to say we are Powered by People and Possibilities. Developing a diverse, welcoming, and action-oriented culture has been and continues to be a priority at Urovant. This allows us to advance patient care through our culture with values of integrity and compassion, bold innovation through inclusion, and achievement through collaboration.

The Fortune Best Workplaces in BioPharma list is highly competitive. Great Place to Work, the global authority on workplace culture, selected the list using rigorous analytics and confidential employee feedback. Companies were considered if they are a Great Place to Work-Certified organization.

Great Place to Work is the only company culture award in America that selects winners based on how fairly employees are treated. Companies are assessed on how well they are creating a great employee experience that cuts across race, gender, age, disability status, or any aspect of who employees are or what their role is.

It is our honor to spotlight the Best Workplaces in BioPharma, said Michael C. Bush, CEO of Great Place to Work. We applaud their commitment to inclusive, high-trust cultures.

In addition to becoming a certified Great Place to Work earlier this year, Urovant was named one of the Best Places to Work for the second year in a row by the Orange County Business Journal.

About Urovant Sciences

Urovant Sciences is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapies for areas of unmet need, with a dedicated focus in urology. The Companys lead product, GEMTESA(vibegron), is an oral, once-daily (75 mg) small molecule beta-3 agonist for the treatment of adult patients with overactive bladder (OAB) with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and urinary frequency. GEMTESA was approved by the U.S. FDA in December 2020 and launched in the U.S. in April 2021. GEMTESA is also being evaluated for the treatment of OAB in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. The Companys second product candidate, URO-902, is a novel gene therapy being developed for patients with OAB who have failed oral pharmacologic therapy. Urovant Sciences, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sumitovant Biopharma Ltd., intends to bring innovation to patients in need in urology and other areas of unmet need. Learn more about Urovant at http://www.Urovant.com or follow on Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram.

About Sumitovant Biopharma

Sumitovant is a technology-driven biopharmaceutical company accelerating development of new potential therapies for patients with high unmet medical need. Through our subsidiary portfolio and use of embedded computational technology platforms to generate business and scientific insights, Sumitovant has supported development of FDA-approved products and advanced a promising pipeline of early-through late-stage investigational assets for other serious conditions. Sumitovants subsidiary portfolio includes wholly-owned Enzyvant, Urovant, Spirovant, and Altavant, and one majority-owned subsidiary that is publicly listed: Myovant (NYSE: MYOV). Sumitomo Pharma is Sumitovants parent company. For more information, please visit http://www.sumitovant.com.

About Best Workplaces in BioPharma

Great Place to Work selected the Best Workplaces in BioPharma by gathering and analyzing confidential survey responses from more than 36,000 employees at Great Place to Work-Certified organizations in the biopharma industry. Company rankings are derived from 60 employee experience questions within the Great Place to Work Trust Index survey. Great Place to Work determines its lists using its proprietary For All methodology to evaluate and certify thousands of organizations in Americas largest ongoing annual workforce study, based on over 1 million survey responses and data from companies representing more than 6.1 million employees, this year alone. Read the full methodology.

About Great Place to Work

Great Place to Work is the global authority on workplace culture. Since 1992, they have surveyed more than 100 million employees worldwide and used those deep insights to define what makes a great workplace: trust. Their employee survey platform empowers leaders with the feedback, real-time reporting and insights they need to make data-driven people decisions. Everything they do is driven by the mission to build a better world by helping every organization become a great place to work For All.

Learn more at greatplacetowork.com and on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

About Overactive Bladder

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a clinical condition that occurs when the bladder muscle contracts involuntarily. Symptoms may include urinary urgency (the sudden urge to urinate that is difficult to control), urgency incontinence (unintentional loss of urine immediately after an urgent need to urinate), frequent urination (usually eight or more times in 24 hours), and nocturia (waking up more than two times in the night to urinate).1

Approximately 30 million Americans suffer from bothersome symptoms of OAB, which can have a significant impairment on a patients day-to-day activities.1, 2

About GEMTESA

GEMTESA is a prescription medicine for adults used to treat the following symptoms due to a condition called overactive bladder:

It is not known if GEMTESA is safe and effective in children.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Do not take GEMTESA if you are allergic to vibegron or any of the ingredients in GEMTESA.

Before you take GEMTESA, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you have liver problems; have kidney problems; have trouble emptying your bladder or you have a weak urine stream; take medicines that contain digoxin; are pregnant or plan to become pregnant (it is not known if GEMTESA will harm your unborn baby; talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant); are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed (it is not known if GEMTESA passes into your breast milk; talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take GEMTESA).

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

What are the possible side effects of GEMTESA?

GEMTESA may cause serious side effects, including the inability to empty your bladder (urinary retention). GEMTESA may increase your chances of not being able to empty your bladder, especially if you have bladder outlet obstruction or take other medicines for treatment of overactive bladder. Tell your doctor right away if you are unable to empty your bladder. The most common side effects of GEMTESA include headache, urinary tract infection, nasal congestion, sore throat or runny nose, diarrhea, nausea, and upper respiratory tract infection. These are not all the possible side effects of GEMTESA. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please click here for full Product Information for GEMTESA.

UROVANT, UROVANT SCIENCES, the UROVANT SCIENCES logo and Powered by People and Possibilities are trademarks of Urovant Sciences GmbH, registered in the U.S. and in other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 2022 Urovant Sciences. All rights reserved.

From Fortune. 2022 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license.

Contacts

Urovant Sciences

Alana Darden Powell

Vice President, Corporate Communications

949-436-3116

alana.darden@Urovant.commedia@urovant.com

Sumitovant BiopharmaMaya Frutiger

VP, Head of Corporate Communications

media@sumitovant.com

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Urovant Sciences Named 17th on the List of Fortune Best Workplaces in BioPharma (2022) - - Portada-online.com

Naturopathic Physician Dr. Michelle Sands transforms menopause and perimenopause care with a holistic approach to hormone replacement therapy and midlife menopause support. Dr. Sands believes all women deserve to feel amazing in their bodies and seeks to achieve this by providing affordable and accessible personalized care through her virtual health platform, Glow Natural Wellness.

Every woman will go through menopause, but Dr. Michelle Sands founded GLOW Natural Wellness because she believes that no woman should have to suffer through hot flashes, night sweats, intimate dryness, weight gain, and other change-of-life symptoms. These symptoms directly result from the dramatic drop in hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone during the menopause transition.

Even more important is that women understand the importance of maintaining optimized hormone levels when it comes to protecting themselves from chronic disease. Without adequate estrogen levels, a womans risk of heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, Alzheimers, and all-cause mortality increases. Bioidentical Hormone Replacement, when dosed and delivered correctly, can reduce those risks and extend life. The problem is that this conversation is not happening in most doctors offices.

Studies show that when women seek medical care for the symptoms of menopause, 75 percent of them are sent home without treatment, Dr. Sands said. An estimated 1.3 million women enter menopause every year in the U.S. alone. Yet less than 20 percent of physicians, including OB/GYNs, are trained to treat them properly.

Dr. Sands, a licensed Naturopathic Physician, and Female Health and Hormone Expert, has created The Healthy Hormone Club to provide affordable and accessible testing, treatment, and education for this underserved demographic.

What is menopause

Menopause is a point in time 12 months after a woman's last period. The 10-15 years leading up to that point are called Perimenopause. During this period, women may have changes in their monthly cycles due to declining levels of estrogen and progesterone. By the time they reach menopause, estrogen and progesterone have plummeted to barely-there levels. Common symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, osteoporosis, fatigue, and more.

Menopause is one day, Dr. Sands said. The next day, you are postmenopausal for the rest of your life. Hormone replacement therapy is a great way to support the body through the menopause transition and throughout post-menopause.

Answering the most asked menopause and perimenopause questions

Hormone Harmony

Dr. Michelle Sands published a book, Hormone Harmony Over 35: A New, Natural, Whole-Body Approach to Limitless Female Health, to share her approach to optimal health with the public. She reveals her evidence-based 21-day plan to restore hormonal balance, reduce stress, and naturally detoxify the body.

A womans body can no longer make vital hormones once she is postmenopausal, and it can quickly affect her quality of life, Dr. Sands said. The GLOW Natural Wellness team helps clients understand their symptoms and how to navigate them using a personalized and holistic approach. A typical protocol will consider a patients health history, current symptoms, laboratory test results, and health goals. In addition to bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, a focus on nutrition, stress reduction, movement, nutraceuticals, and mindfulness is key for the best possible outcomes.

Conclusion

A mother herself, Dr. Michelle Sands, knows how draining life can be for women struggling with menopause symptoms. She is passionate about helping women harness the power of their DNA to elevate their genetic expression and live vibrantly, not just by optimizing health physically, but also mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Women experiencing menopause or perimenopause symptoms are encouraged to visit the GLOW Natural Wellness website to learn more about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.

Glow Natural Wellness

Dr. Michelle Sands

United States

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Dr. Michelle Sands Treats Menopause Symptoms Through GLOW Natural Wellness Hormone Replacement Therapy - Benzinga

Hormone replacement therapy has a bad reputation because of potential risks to long-term health. A new look at the evidence could change our relationship with HRT - and the menopause

By Caroline Williams

Angus Greig

THE mood swings I could handle. Ditto the night sweats, irregular periods and alibido that swung between randy teenager and old maid. Then the menopause came for my brain and enough was enough. Ifageing naturally meant giving up the job I love because I could no longer think, I was out. Bring on the hormone replacement therapy.

Within weeks, I found energy reserves that I had forgotten I had. The urge to crawl into bed mid morning disappeared and was replaced with a clear head and renewed zest for life.

It was quite the transformation. So much sothat one of the first things I wanted to do with my new mental clarity was to dig in to thescience behind what was happening to me. Was I experiencing an age-related hormonal deficiency that I had, sensibly, nipped in the bud? Or was I guilty of jumping on the latest well-being bandwagon, making a big fuss about a natural life stage that would soon pass?And, importantly, am I protecting my long-term health by taking HRT or risking it?

These are questions that scientists have been grappling with for more than 80 years, ever since the first HRT was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. Premarin, made from oestrogens extracted from the urine of pregnant horses, was licensed in the early 1940s for the treatment of hot flushes and night sweats, the most common menopausal symptoms. There are many others, ranging from heart palpitations and joint pain to brain fog, anxiety and depression.

These symptoms are eminently treatable with HRT. Yet its use has been controversial

Continue reading here:
Should you take HRT? Here's how to think clearly about the risks - New Scientist

Primary hyperparathyroidism ( PHPT) primarily affects women after menopause.

Around 2-3 per cent of women develop a mild variant of the disease following menopause. PHPT is a disease that causes an increase in the level of calcium in the blood.

Calcium is an important mineral in the body, of which there should be neither too much nor too little. Those with mild PHPT only have a minor elevation of calcium levels and usually do not have any symptoms.

Mild PHPT is a relatively common condition in women who have gone through menopause. Unfortunately, it is often overlooked in routine health examinations, says Jens Bollerslev, adjunct professor at the Institute of Clinical Medicine at the University of Oslo and senior physician at Oslo University Hospital.

Now, however, he and his colleagues have good news for PHPT patients.

Four small glands in the neck, called parathyroid, regulate the level of calcium in the blood. In people who have PHPT, one or more of these glands are overactive.

Common treatment of PHPT has been to remove overactive glands through surgery. The aim has been to reduce the risk of early death and of potentially developing other diseases because of the elevated calcium levels.

However, researchers in Norway, Sweden and Denmark have found that it is not necessary to perform surgery on patients who have the mild variant of the disease, where the calcium level is only slightly higher than usual.

Our study suggests that it is safe not to remove the overactive glands in patients with mild PHPT, at least over a ten-year perspective, Mikkel Pretorius says.

He is a PhD candidate at the Institute of Clinical Medicine at the University of Oslo (UiO) and senior physician at the Department of Endocrinology, Morbid Obesity and Preventive Medicine at Oslo University Hospital.

From left: Ansgar Heck, Jens Bollerslev, Kristin Godang and Mikkel Pretorius. (Photo: Oslo University Hospital)

In the study, Pretorius and colleagues found out that the vast majority of people with mild PHPT had good health over a ten-year period, regardless of whether or not the overactive gland had been removed.

A few patients with mild PHPT developed other diseases and complications, and a few died during the 10-year duration of the study. This, however, seems unrelated to whether or not the patients underwent surgery. There were no differences on these measures between the two groups.

Our study shows that the health of patients who did not have surgery was just as good as the health of patients who did have surgery, Jens Bollerslev, who led the study, says.

Ansgar Heck, researcher and senior physician at the Section for Special Endocrinology at Oslo University Hospital, puts it like this:

This study allows us to give better advice to patients. Patients will also be able to base their choice between surgery and a wait-and-see attitude on more information."

Visual abstract: Annals of Internal Medicine. (Image: Pretorius et al.)

The parathyroid glands secrete the parathyroid hormone PTH. This hormone ensures that calcium is moved from the skeleton to the bloodstream. An overactive gland secretes too much of the hormone, which leads to higher calcium levels.

Researchers and professionals in the medical field assume that the disorder in the parathyroid gland and the disease PHPT increases the risk of developing other diseases such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is the same as bone fragility. The disease makes the skeleton weaker and more prone to bone fractures.

The assumed increased risk of getting other diseases is the reason why common treatment has been to remove the overactive gland. Nevertheless, there is a lack of research documenting the risk.

In real terms, we do not know whether the assumption of increased morbidity and death is true for people with mild PHPT, Bollerslev explains. We also do not know whether the development of disease is connected with the higher calcium levels or the higher levels of the hormone PTH, or both.

Although patients who have the mild variant of the disease do not appear to need surgery, the healthcare system should ensure that this patient group is followed-up.

It is important to follow the development of the calcium level and the potential development of other diseases annually. If patients develop osteoporosis, one must decide whether surgery or other treatment is necessary after all, Bollerslev says.

The slightly higher level of calcium in the blood is often discovered by chance during a blood test.

If we see a higher level of calcium, it is important to examine the patient further to find out whether the patient also has higher levels of the hormone PTH. Because it may be that there is another reason for the higher calcium level, Heck says.

PHPT is much less common among men and among people under the age of 50. There is currently little research on how the disease affects these groups.

We do not know whether men and younger people who have the disease also have an increased risk of getting other diseases, Bollerslev says.

Another unanswered question is whether there is a smooth transition between what is considered mild PHPT and what is considered severe PHPT.

In severe PHPT, the level of calcium in the blood is much higher and patients usually have symptoms or complications. Surgery is then recommended.

191 patients with mild PHPT participated in the study. All participants were over 50 years of age and had a slightly elevated level of calcium in their blood. The patients had no symptoms or other diseases that could be directly linked to PHPT.

The patients were randomly divided into two groups, where one group underwent surgery and the other group was observed without surgery.

The researchers then followed up the patients in the two groups over a ten-year period in order to compare their state of health and any development of other disease with and without surgery.

This is the largest and longest lasting randomised study on this common disease. The study also shows that with good Scandinavian cooperation we can answer research questions that are relevant to the rest of the world, Pretorius states.

Reference:

Pretorius et al. Mortality and Morbidity in Mild Primary Hyperparathyroidism: Results From a 10-Year Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial of Parathyroidectomy Versus Observation, Annals of Internal Medicine, 2022. DOI: 10.7326/M21-4416 Abstract.

Summary for Patients: Mortality and Morbidity in Mild Primary Hyperparathyroidism, Annals of Internal Medicine, 2022.

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Hormone disease that mostly affects menopausal women should not lead to surgery in mild cases - Sciencenorway.no

Posted By: Jan Larson McLaughlinAugust 31, 2022

Teal ribbons adorn downtown Bowling Green and other communities across the U.S. as part of a nationwide campaign during the month of September, which is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

Locally, the campaign is spearheaded by the Ovarian Cancer Connection, a non-profit organization serving northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.

Ovarian cancer impacts 21,000 more women each year.

Turn the Towns Teal is a national campaign in all 50 states, with the mission of raising awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer. Knowing the symptoms and risk factors of the cancer can lead to early detection with a 90-95% success rate.

Although the primary mission is to raise awareness to the symptoms of ovarian cancer, the national campaign also promotes support for survivors.

Potential symptoms may include:

If any symptom persists for 10 days to two weeks, consult your gynecologist or physician.

Risk factors for ovarian cancer may include genetic predisposition, family history, hormone replacement therapy, increasing age or reproductive history and infertility.

Do not ignore the risk factors and symptoms of ovarian cancer. If something does not feel right, contact your local physician or gynecologist.

Continue reading here:
'Turn the Towns Teal' ribbons raise awareness of ovarian cancer BG Independent News - BG Independent Media

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Twenty-five years ago, when I was a young medical student on one of my first hospital rotations, the soft-spoken senior physician leading our team asked us one day on rounds, "what is all medication?" Met with blank stares, he then answered for us: "Poison. All medication is poison." He didnt mean that the drugs we were giving our patients were killing them, but that we had a responsibility to be cautious when using them, as they also have the potential to harm.

Its a lesson many of my physician colleagues are ignoring in their opposition to burgeoning legislation in several states that would prohibit "gender-affirming" therapies for children with gender dysphoria, including Ohio HB 454, currently the subject of contentious debate in my home state. Those therapies include hormones to stop puberty and change external sexual characteristics, and surgeries to alter anatomy to that of the opposite sex. As a doctor and a father, I have watched the role many in my profession have played in this debate with increasing concern and dismay. Physician involvement in this kind of therapy for children is horribly irresponsible and worthy of contempt.

The standard in medicine is that the onus is on those proposing any treatment to reliably demonstrate that treatment is safe and effective. In the case of children with gender dysphoria, the medical evidence for hormone therapy and surgery is weak and conflicting, with poor quality studies that are riddled with shortcomings and bias. Moreover, data supporting the safety of long-term hormone treatment in these children is largely nonexistent.

BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL DELETES REFERENCES TO VAGINOPLASTIES FOR 17-YEAR-OLDS AMID ONLINE FUROR

Infertility is common after hormone therapy, and bone and cardiovascular health are at risk as well. Crucially, there is also data to show that those who undergo surgical therapy are vastly more likely to suffer lifelong mental unrest and even commit suicide, and that those consequences may not surface until a decade or more after surgery. In recent years, an increasing number of accounts of children who "transitioned," then subsequently "detransitioned" in adulthood, have illustrated the difficulty of reversing the effects that hormones and surgery have on young bodies and minds.

"I'm Not a Girl" is written by Maddox Lyons and Jessica Verdi about a transgender child. (YouTube/Screenshot)

Sadly, in a pattern that has become all too common in the COVID-19 era, U.S. physician advocates for these kinds of treatments have vastly overstated the results of their studies, downplayed any potential side effects, declared the issue "settled science," and then used that declaration as a cudgel to attack anyone who disagrees. In contrast, many of our European counterparts, including the United Kingdom, France, Sweden, and Finland, have recently hit the brakes on such therapy for children, recognizing that the data is poor and the long-term side effects are unclear.

Whats more, the ability of children to assent to any medical treatment is limited by the state of their brain development. Its long been known that the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain that is responsible for planning and making impulse-free decisions, is not fully developed until about age 25. Thats why we dont let 10-year-olds eat ice cream all day long, why we dont let 16-year-olds buy alcohol, and why rental car companies charge 21-year-olds a young renters fee. Physicians who treat children with gender dysphoria know this well, but many inexplicably suspend that knowledge when it comes to life-altering hormonal and surgical therapy. In doing so, theyre betraying the trust of the vulnerable children and parents who have come to them for help.

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There is even an increasing chorus of voices within the transgender community itself who, unlike my ostensibly judicious colleagues, recognize these issues with childhood decision-making, and have spoken against such therapies for children.

More fundamentally, the very notion of chemically and surgically altering a child because they feel like they are the opposite sex runs counter to some basic truths that humanity has traditionally taught its children. Namely, that their feelings sometimes dont reflect objective reality, that there are some absolute constants in the world (one of them being their biologic sex), and that their physical existence is not a mistake. The idea that their body is somehow "wrong" is a message that should never be given to a child.

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Like all who seek out medical care, children with gender dysphoria and their families deserve compassion and honesty from their physicians. What many are getting instead are misleading, ideologically driven recommendations, resulting in physical and psychological mutilation that is difficult or impossible to reverse. Thats true poison to our profession, and it needs to stop.

LeRoy Essig, M.D. is a pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine physician practicing in Columbus, Ohio. He is a graduate of Princeton University and The Ohio State University College of Medicine.

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As a doctor and dad, I am ashamed by how horribly my field mistreats kids with 'gender-affirming' therapies - Fox News

Diabetesis a common condition that affects one in 10 people, that's over 37 million Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention While that's an alarming number, there are ways to help lower the risk. Dr. Tomi Mitchell, a Board-Certified Family Physician with Holistic Wellness Strategies tells us, "Diabetes is a serious medical condition that can lead to several health complications, including heart disease, kidney damage, and blindness. Fortunately, there are several things that people can do to reduce their chance of developing diabetes. Here are five lifestyle changes that can help to prevent diabetes. Read onand to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID.

Dr. Mitchell says, "Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar. When blood sugar levels are too high, it can strain the organs and lead to complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and vision problems. There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes usually develops in childhood or adolescence and is caused by an autoimmune reaction that destroys the beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes usually develops in adulthood and is characterized by insulin resistance, when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Diabetes can be managed through lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, and medication.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 30 million people in the United States have diabetes. However, it is estimated that one in four is undiagnosed and unaware of the condition. This is particularly concerning because diabetes can lead to several serious health complications, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and blindness. That is why it is so important to get screened for diabetes if you think you may be at risk. If you have a family history of diabetes, your doctor might recommend getting screened at an earlier age. There are several ways to test for diabetes, but the most common is the A1C test. This test measures your average blood sugar levels over two to three months and can be done at your doctor's office or a local clinic. If you have diabetes, it is essential to work with your healthcare team to manage your condition and prevent complications. People with diabetes can live long and healthy lives with proper treatment and care."

Dr. Mitchell explains, "Being overweight or obese is the number one risk factor for type 2 diabetes. About 80 percent of people with this form of diabetes are overweight or obese. There are several reasons why carrying extra weight increases your risk of developing diabetes. First, excess body fat makes it difficult for the body to use insulin effectively. When the body can't use insulin properly, blood sugar levels rise. This is known as insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a major cause of type 2 diabetes. In addition, carrying extra weight puts extra strain on the body's organs and systems, including the pancreas, which produces insulin. Over time, this can lead to damage and dysfunction. Finally, fat tissue produces hormones contributing to insulin resistance and high blood sugar levels. For all these reasons, people who carry extra weight are at a much higher risk of developing diabetes than those of a healthy weight."6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Not getting enough physical activity can raise a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Physical activity helps control blood sugar (glucose), weight, and blood pressure and helps raise "good" cholesterol and lower "bad" cholesterol. Adequate physical activity can also help reduce the risk of heart disease and nerve damage, which are often problems for people with diabetes."

Dr. Mitchell reminds us, "Eating a healthy diet is essential for many reasons. It can help you maintain a healthy weight, have more energy, and avoid heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Diabetes is a condition that affects how your body uses blood sugar. If you have diabetes, your body either doesn't make enough insulin or can't use it as well as it should. This causes blood sugar levels to rise. Over time, high blood sugar levels can lead to serious health problems, such as heart disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, and eye problems. Eating a healthy diet is one of the best ways to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. A healthy diet includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Limiting sugar, saturated fat, and trans fat is also essential. If you already have diabetes, eating a healthy diet can help you control your blood sugar levels. It can also help you prevent or delay complications of the disease."

Dr. Mitchell says, "Smoking is a leading cause of preventable death in the United States and a significant risk factor for developing diabetes. Smokers are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than non-smokers, and the risk increases with the number of cigarettes smoked daily. Quitting smoking not only lowers your risk of developing diabetes but also helps to improve blood sugar control if you already have the disease. In addition, quitting smoking decreases your chances of developing other serious health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer. If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do for your health. Talk to your doctor about ways to help you quit smoking for good."

Dr. Mitchell shares, "Monitoring blood sugar is essential in preventing diabetes because it allows people to see how their diet and lifestyle choices affect their blood sugar levels. For example, if someone eats many sugary foods, they might see a spike in their blood sugar levels. By monitoring their blood sugar, they can change their diet or lifestyle to help prevent their blood sugar from reaching diabetic levels. In addition, monitoring blood sugar can also help people with diabetes to keep their condition under control. They can adjust their insulin doses accordingly by knowing their blood sugar levels. Thus, monitoring blood sugar is an essential tool in both preventing and managing diabetes."

Heather Newgen

Read more from the original source:
The #1 Root Cause of Diabetes, Say Physicians Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

Every year, more than one million women in the United States enter menopause when a woman stops menstruating and hasnt had her period for 12 months in a row. When you think of menopause, hot flashes, insomnia, mood changes, and night sweats may come to mind. But heart disease the No. 1 killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths a year, according to the American Heart Association (AHA) should also be high on your list of menopause related health concerns.

Heart disease risk increases with age for both men and women. But there are heart disease risk factors especially associated with ovarian aging, says Chrisandra Shufelt MD, associate director of the Mayo Clinic Center for Womens Health in Jacksonville, Florida, which is the complex process marked by changes in hormone levels that occurs, ending with menopause. Aging ovaries produce less estrogen and follicle-stimulating hormone; a drop in these hormones is linked to heart disease risk.

Heres a rundown of the risks associated with heart disease in women in menopause and what you can do to lower the risk.

Menopause drives detrimental changes in your cholesterol and blood fats, which can lead to artery-clogging atherosclerosis.

According to an AHA Scientific Statement published in Circulation in December 2020 about menopause and cardiovascular disease risk, your total cholesterol and your bad cholesterol (LDL-C and apolipoprotein B levels) may go up and your good cholesterol (HDL) is likely to go down, which is bad news since we need HDL to move out extra cholesterol that our body doesnt need. Having too much cholesterol in your blood can cause the formation of plaque (hardened deposits) in your arteries, and can ultimately lead to a heart attack or stroke.

After age 40, women are more likely to pack on the pounds, especially around the midsection. What changes in menopause that puts our hearts at risk is the shift of where we start to lay down fat, Dr. Shufelt says. Fat around the midsection and vital organs, such as the liver, can increase your risk of heart disease, even if youre at a healthy body weight, according to astudy published in 2021 in Circulation.

Want to know if youre at risk? Get a tape measure. Research shows that postmenopausal women with a body mass index (BMI) estimates body fat by weight and height within normal range and a waist circumference of more than 35 inches are at increased risk of dying from heart disease, compared with women with a normal BMI without midsection body fat. If your waist circumference is more than 35 inches, talk to your doctor about how to optimize this number, which may include diet, exercise, or weight loss surgery, according to the AHA.

In menopause, or even in late premenopause or perimenopause when periods start to skip women are more likely to develop metabolic syndrome, which is a combination of conditions, including excess belly fat, high cholesterol, and elevated blood sugar, according to the AHA statement. In other words, menopause is linked to an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, which puts you at a higher risk for heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.

Depression can take its toll on your heart. Stress and anxiety can reduce blood flow to the heart, causing your heart rate and blood pressure to rise, as well as increase stress hormone levels, like cortisol, which can up your risk for heart disease, according to the American Heart Association.

A landmarkstudy published in 2019 in Menopause, known as the Study of Womens Health Across the Nation (SWAN), which enrolled 3,302 women between age 42 and 52 and followed them for 23 years, reported that depressive symptoms were higher during late peri- and postmenopause than premenopause. In a subset study, the SWAN Mental Health study, women were 2 to 4 times as likely to experience a major depressive episode in menopause or early postmenopause compared with premenopausal women. Still, women who have had a bout of depression before menopause may be more susceptible to having depression again in menopause. According to a study published in 2017 in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, women with a history of depression are 5 times more likely to a have major bout of depression in menopause.

Its important to discuss depression at the time of perimenopause and menopause, Shufelt says. Talk to your doctor if youre feeling persistently sad, anxious, hopeless, irritable, or fatigued. Dont ignore depression symptoms, she cautions. Many effective treatment options are available, including medications and psychotherapy.

Restless sleep is often one of the first symptoms of menopause and perimenopause. Chronic disrupted sleep can be a risk factor for heart disease. When youre sleeping, your blood pressure naturally takes a dip. If you dont get enough sleep, your blood pressure can stay higher for a longer period, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. High blood pressure above 130/80 mmHg can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Menopause may be the reason for your disrupted sleep, or it could be sleep apnea, the risk of which also rises during menopause and is associated with heart disease risk. If women are having high blood pressure changes, we dont want to say, Oh, this is just menopause. We want to also think about things like sleep apnea, Shufelt says. While having hypertension doesn't necessarily mean you have sleep apnea, it could be worth screening. Talk to your doctor about being evaluated for sleep apnea, especially if your blood pressure is on the rise.

If youre waking up often due to menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes, you should also talk to your doctor about hormone replacement therapy. We dont use estrogen replacement to prevent heart disease, but we do use it to manage bothersome symptoms, Shufelt says. If you cant sleep through the night because youre having night sweats all night, thats also a disruptive symptom. Estrogen patches, in which a low dose of estrogen is applied through the skin, may help ease menopausal symptoms, including disrupted sleep.

You could spend roughly 30 years of your life or more living with menopause, so its important to take hold of your heart health, notes Shufelt. Heres what you can do:

See your doctor regularly. After 50, every woman should have an annual checkup, Shufelt says. Yearly appointments can help you keep track of your numbers like your cholesterol, weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar, and keep those numbers within a healthy range to reduce your heart disease risk.

If youre at high risk for heart disease because of high cholesterol or weight gain, or if heart disease runs in your family, your doctor may recommend more screening tests. People with a family history of heart disease are at higher than average risk of heart disease. For those people, we might use tools to assess their risk, such as a coronary calcium scan, Shufelt says.

In women at higher than average risk for heart disease due to family history, the coronary artery calcium (CAC) test offers a more precise assessment to help guide treatment and medication decisions. The CAC test is an X-ray that takes images of your heart and helps detect and measure calcium-containing plaque in your arteries, which can increase your risk for a heart attack. The scan is a good tool to virtually look at your heart, Shufelt says.

Consider hormone replacement therapy. We dont use estrogen replacement to prevent heart disease, but we do use it in low doses for bothersome menopausal symptoms, such as having night sweats that prevent you from sleeping, Shufelt says.

The latest hormone therapy guidelines from the North American Menopause Society,published in 2022 in Menopause Shufelt was a coauthor no longer recommend using the lowest dose of supplemental hormones for the shortest time for menopause symptom relief. The guidelines now state the appropriate amount of time, Shufelt says, which varies per person. Theres a certain percentage of women who will have troublesome menopausal symptoms for years. Every woman is different, Shufelt says.

If you enter menopause before age 45 (because of chemotherapy, hysterectomy, or premature ovarian insufficiency, a type of early menopause in younger women), hormone replacement therapy is also recommended by the North American Menopause Society. Premature menopause (before age 40) or early menopause (before age 45) without hormone replacement therapy can accelerate your risk of heart disease, Shufelt says.

When you enter menopause at an earlier age, its important to get a dose of estrogen in an amount your body would otherwise naturally produce at this time. These are women who should have estrogen naturally in their bodies, Shufelt says. If youre in premature or early menopause and youre eligible, Shufelt recommends using a dose of estrogen and progesterone through the time of natural menopause, at age 52, to replace what your body would naturally produce.

Keep up the good work (-out). Exercise can lower the risk of heart disease as you age. According to the study from 2017 in Medicine & Sports Science in Sports and Exercise, the lifetime risk of heart disease in women who exercise was about 12 percent lower from age 45 to 85, compared with women in that age group who werent physically active.

The American Heart Association recommends that men and women get moderate exercise 150 minutes or more per week in addition to not smoking, eating a healthy diet, losing weight if you need to, and managing blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. Menopause is an opportunity to know your numbers and look at your lifestyle because exercise and diet are the backbone and the cornerstone of cardiovascular disease prevention, Shufelt says.

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5 Signs Your Heart Is Changing During Menopause - Everyday Health

By The ASCO Post StaffPosted: 8/30/2022 3:05:00 PM Last Updated: 8/30/2022 2:21:19 PM

Women with a breast cancer diagnosis undergoing procedures for fertility preservation are not at an increased risk for recurrence of the disease or disease-specific mortality, according to the results of a study from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden that followed participants for 5 years on average. The findings were published by Marklund et al in JAMA Oncology.

Almost 1 in 10 women affected by breast cancer are of childbearing age and are at risk of becoming infertile from chemotherapy treatment. With the hope of being able to have children after completing cancer treatment, many women choose to undergo procedures for fertility preservation with or without hormonal stimulation. These methods include cryopreservationthe freezing of embryos, female gametes (oocytes), and ovarian tissue.

It is not unusual that women with hormone-positive breast cancer or their treating doctors opt out of the procedures for fertility preservation because of the fear that these procedures will increase the risk of cancer recurrence or death. In some cases, women are also advised to wait 5 to 10 years before trying to conceive, and with increasing age, fecundity in all women decreases. More knowledge is therefore needed about the safety of procedures for fertility preservation at the time of a breast cancer diagnosis, said the studys first author, Anna Marklund, MD, PhD, a researcher in the Department of Oncology-Pathology at the Karolinska Institutet.

Study Details

In this study, researchers at the Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital investigated whether procedures for fertility preservation in connection with a breast cancer diagnosis entail an increased risk of disease recurrence or death. The study followed the women for 5 years on average.

The registry study covered 1,275 women of childbearing age who were treated for breast cancer between 1994 and 2017 in Sweden. Of these, 425 underwent procedures for fertility preservation with or without hormonal stimulation. The control group of 850 women were treated for breast cancer but did not undergo procedures for fertility preservation.

The women who underwent procedures for fertility preservation and the women in the control group were matched on age at diagnosis, calendar period at diagnosis, and health-care region. The statistical data were taken from both nationwide health-care registers and population registers with data on outcomes, disease- and treatment-related variables, and socioeconomic characteristics.

Results

The proportion of women without relapse over the 5 years was 89% among those who underwent hormonal stimulation of the ovaries, 83% among women with ovarian tissue freezing, and 82% among women who did not undergo procedures for fertility preservation.

Five years after treatment for breast cancer, the survival rate was 96% in the group that underwent hormonal stimulation to freeze eggs or embryos, 93% in the group that underwent procedures for fertility preservation who did not undergo hormone stimulation, and 90% in the group that did not undergo procedures for fertility preservation.

We did not see any increased risk of relapse or mortality when procedures for fertility preservation were undertaken, compared to the women who did not undergo procedures for fertility preservation. This is valuable information that can contribute to changed care routines when it comes to young women with breast cancer who want to preserve their fertility, said senior study author Kenny Rodriguez-Wallberg, MD, PhD, Adjunct Professor and Research Group Leader in the Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, and Chief Physician at Karolinska University Hospital.

The researchers plan to follow up on the results after another 5 years.

Disclosure: The study was funded by the Swedish Cancer Society, Radiumhemmet's Research Funds, the Breast Cancer Association, Region Stockholm, and Karolinska Institutet. For full disclosures of the study authors, visit jamanetwork.com.

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Fertility Preservation Measures Do Not Appear to Increase the Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence - The ASCO Post

If you want to brighten your mood, you have options: You could get your happy hormones (aka, endorphins) pumping with some exercise, call a friend who always makes you laugh, or snuggle up with a cheesy Netflix movie. What you maynotknow is that the contents of your fridge can also lift your spiritsso long as you look out for an internal medicine doctor's three essential mood-boosting nutrients.

As health professionals, internal medicine doctors pride themselves on having a more personal approach to medicine because they tend to work with people who suffer from chronic, often severe, illnesses. They also look at their patient's health through a holistic lens in order to determine the root of their health issues. And thus, these MDs tend to have some compelling insight when it comes to how, say, your diet affects your mood.

"Our brains are a reflection of what we put into our bodies, and one of the most important ways that we influence them is the quality of what we eat," says internal medicine doctor Austin Perlmutter, MD, author and Senior Director of Science and Clinical Innovation at Big Bold Health. "A brain-nutrient rich dietof which the Mediterranean diet is a great examplemay help support the brain and specifically mental health through pathways that range from neurotransmitters to inflammation to the gut-brain axis."

Look, things get a little complicated when you whip out the term "gut-brain axis," but the TL; DR is this: A growing body of research suggests that since about 95 percent of your serotonin (a happiness hormone) is produced in your gut,andyour gut is lined with nerves and neurons, what goes in your belly may affect the quality of your mood. And thus, when you're feeding your belly, you're also feeding your brain. I know, I know: Science is cool.

Ready to start priming your brain for a better outlook on life? Ahead, Dr. Perlmutter name drops the big three nutrients you need to boost your mood (and includes a grocery shopping list to help you check out with your brain in mind). Ready to eat?

You may already know that omega-3 fatty acids are basically the prom queen of fatty acids. And according to Dr. Perlmutter, incorporating more of them into your diet can seriously pep up your brain.

"Omega-3 fats can be found in plant foods like nuts and seeds, but the omega-3s that have been best studied for their link to mental health are docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)which are primarily found in higher concentrations in cold-water fish like salmon, sardines, mackerel, herring and anchovies, as well as in supplement forms," says Dr. Perlmutter.

There's also evidencethat omega-3s can help reduce clinical anxiety and could ease symptoms of depression, although more research is needed. And beyond the brain, omega-3s also boost blood flow, improve skin health, and contribute to the overall health of cell membranes.

Learn more about the benefits of omega-3s:

"Polyphenols are a large groupthink thousandsof plant molecules. Eating certain types of antioxidant-rich polyphenols has been linkedto lower risk for depression, while otherresearchsuggests that eating more polyphenols overall may be helpful for overall mental status andbrain protectionagainst certain types of dementia," says Dr. Perlmutter.

Polyphenols are commonly found in fruits and veggies (particularly in berries, red onions, and tempeh), as well as coffee, tea, dark chocolate, and spices like turmeric and cloves.

Relatively new to the field of scientific research, probiotics are on the rise as a nutrient that may be majorly beneficial to your brain. "A myriad of recent studies have suggested that one of the biggest ways we can influence our brains is through the health of our gut, including the microbes that live there.Thats in part because our gut is where the majority of our immune system is located, and these immune cells may affect what gets into our bloodstream and therefore influences our brains," says Dr. Perlmutter.

While more studies need to be conducted on probiotics, Dr. Perlmutter notes that you can try promoting a healthy gut-brain connection by eating more prebiotic foods, or foods that feed the good bacteria in the gut. "For those who can tolerate it without significant GI issues, eating more leafy greens, whole grains may be a good place to start, and if you want to get specific, dandelion greens, Jerusalem artichoke, garlic, onions and leeks are thought to be excellent sources of prebiotic fiber," he says.

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The Big 3 Nutrients Known To Help Boost Your Mood, According to an Internal Medicine Physician - Well+Good