Sea Slug Offers Clues to Human Brain Disorders....
Why am I not surprised?
According to an article at livescience.com :
The marine slug has a relatively simple nervous system, with about 10,000 large neurons that can be easily identified, compared with about 100 billion neurons in humans. Even so, the animal is capable of learning and its brain cells communicate in ways identical to human neuron-to-neuron messaging
They found specific genes linked to learning and memory. "We've now identified a whole bunch of receptors for serotonin. So we can see what their function is in various cells and which ones participate in the learning process," Kandel told LiveScience.
The scientists also analyzed 146 human genes implicated in 168 neurological disorders, including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, and genes controlling aging. They found 104 counterpart genes in Aplysia, suggesting the animal will be a valuable tool in understanding and ultimately treating neurodegenerative diseases."
Why study a sea slug...there are so many members of Congress with even less complex neuron messaging systems that are hardly being used.....but I guess they want to look at a brain that somewhat similar to humans.
And speaking of intellectual sluggishness, this will get the actively ignorant activists at Breast Cancer (In)action launched into another work of junk science....
High-Tech Mammograms Will Change Breast Cancer Care
By Meryl Hyman Harris
HealthDay Reporter
posted: 31 December 2006
11:35 am ET
(HealthDay News) -- The mammogram is changing for the better.
New computer-driven technologies should make the yearly exam more accurate and easier on patients than ever before, experts say.
High-tech computer-based digital mammography is already available at about 10 percent of diagnostic centers in the country and growing steadily at a rate of about 4 percent a month, said Priscilla F. Butler, senior director of the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Accreditation Programs.
While filmless mammography doesn't feel any different to women while they are being screened, doctors are discovering that there are benefits for particular patients.
A study of more than 40,000 women published last fall found that compared with standard mammograms, computer-based digital "pictures" were more beneficial for more than half the women.
The findings of that study, the American College of Radiology Imaging Network Digital Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial, were that younger women with dense breast tissue, those under 50 and those who are premenopausal, would benefit most from digital mammograms. The range was so large that some doctors have since concluded that dense breast tissue in all groups is better seen with the help of a computer.
Here's the full article:
http://www.livescience.com/healthday/531925.html
Anti-screening kooks have tried to scare younger women away from mammograms by peddling a hodge-podge of smaller clinical trials in the form of meta-analyses showing no benefit. Well, a meta-analysis of crappy smaller studies is just a large cesspool..which is a perfect place to store Breast Cancer Action's so-called research. The DMIST will break new ground and move us to biomarker based prediction or nano-based prediction which in turn will lead to earlier intervention with private sector developed medicines which will lead to longer lives. THAT will really overwhelm the single cell messaging systems of opponents....
Why am I not surprised?
According to an article at livescience.com :
The marine slug has a relatively simple nervous system, with about 10,000 large neurons that can be easily identified, compared with about 100 billion neurons in humans. Even so, the animal is capable of learning and its brain cells communicate in ways identical to human neuron-to-neuron messaging
They found specific genes linked to learning and memory. "We've now identified a whole bunch of receptors for serotonin. So we can see what their function is in various cells and which ones participate in the learning process," Kandel told LiveScience.
The scientists also analyzed 146 human genes implicated in 168 neurological disorders, including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, and genes controlling aging. They found 104 counterpart genes in Aplysia, suggesting the animal will be a valuable tool in understanding and ultimately treating neurodegenerative diseases."
Why study a sea slug...there are so many members of Congress with even less complex neuron messaging systems that are hardly being used.....but I guess they want to look at a brain that somewhat similar to humans.
And speaking of intellectual sluggishness, this will get the actively ignorant activists at Breast Cancer (In)action launched into another work of junk science....
High-Tech Mammograms Will Change Breast Cancer Care
By Meryl Hyman Harris
HealthDay Reporter
posted: 31 December 2006
11:35 am ET
(HealthDay News) -- The mammogram is changing for the better.
New computer-driven technologies should make the yearly exam more accurate and easier on patients than ever before, experts say.
High-tech computer-based digital mammography is already available at about 10 percent of diagnostic centers in the country and growing steadily at a rate of about 4 percent a month, said Priscilla F. Butler, senior director of the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Accreditation Programs.
While filmless mammography doesn't feel any different to women while they are being screened, doctors are discovering that there are benefits for particular patients.
A study of more than 40,000 women published last fall found that compared with standard mammograms, computer-based digital "pictures" were more beneficial for more than half the women.
The findings of that study, the American College of Radiology Imaging Network Digital Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial, were that younger women with dense breast tissue, those under 50 and those who are premenopausal, would benefit most from digital mammograms. The range was so large that some doctors have since concluded that dense breast tissue in all groups is better seen with the help of a computer.
Here's the full article:
http://www.livescience.com/healthday/531925.html
Anti-screening kooks have tried to scare younger women away from mammograms by peddling a hodge-podge of smaller clinical trials in the form of meta-analyses showing no benefit. Well, a meta-analysis of crappy smaller studies is just a large cesspool..which is a perfect place to store Breast Cancer Action's so-called research. The DMIST will break new ground and move us to biomarker based prediction or nano-based prediction which in turn will lead to earlier intervention with private sector developed medicines which will lead to longer lives. THAT will really overwhelm the single cell messaging systems of opponents....
