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The placenta, often overlooked in the realm of human biology, is a vital organ that plays a significant role not only during pregnancy but also in determining lifelong health outcomes. This organ, unique to mammals, is the lifeline that connects the mother and the fetus, facilitating the exchange of nutrients, gases, and waste products. Image source : Pregnancy, Birth and Baby The placenta's role during pregnancy is well-known, but recent research suggests that its influence extends far beyond the gestational period. It has a profound impact on the health of both the mother and the child, potentially influencing their susceptibility to various diseases later in life. The placenta is a dynamic organ that adapts to the mother's health and environmental conditions. It can modify its structure and function in response to stressors such as maternal malnutrition, obesity, or exposure to toxins. These adaptations can affect fetal development and have long-term health implications. For...

Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that affects millions worldwide, has long been a subject of extensive research. A recent study, as reported by New Scientist, has shed new light on the potential benefits of exercise in combating this disease.  Image source : Wikipedia  The study suggests that regular physical activity may prevent the degradation of neurons crucial for controlling movement, a common issue in Parkinson's disease. This groundbreaking discovery could revolutionize the way we approach Parkinson's disease management and prevention. Parkinson's disease is characterized by the progressive loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a vital role in regulating movement and emotional responses. As these neurons degrade, patients experience symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia (slowness of movement). The research, conducted by scientists at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, invol...

Schizophrenia is a complex psychiatric disorder that typically emerges in early adulthood. While the exact causes of schizophrenia are still not fully understood, researchers have long recognized the role of both genetic and environmental factors in its development. A recent study published in the journal Cell Genomics sheds new light on the genetic aspect of schizophrenia, specifically highlighting the potential impact of rare embryo mutations on the risk of developing this disorder. Image source : Health The study, conducted by Eduardo A. Maury and colleagues, focused on somatic copy-number variants (sCNVs), a type of mutation that occurs early in embryonic development. Unlike inherited mutations, which are present in all cells of the body, somatic mutations are only present in a fraction of cells based on when and where the mutation occurred. The researchers analyzed data from 12,834 schizophrenia cases and identified recurrent disruptions in two genes: NRXN1 and ABCB11. NRXN1, a ge...

The long-standing belief that our human ancestors were inherently violent has been challenged by a recent study. This research, published in the New Scientist, suggests that our forebears may not have been as violent as we have been led to believe. Image source : New Scientists  The study, which delved into the family tree of apes, our closest living relatives, found that violence is not a common trait among our shared ancestors. This contradicts the popular notion that humans are naturally violent due to our evolutionary history. The researchers behind this study examined the social behavior of various ape species, including bonobos, chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans. They found that while some species, like chimpanzees, are known for their violent behavior, others, such as bonobos and orangutans, are generally peaceful. The team then used this information to create a model of the likely behavior of the last common ancestor of all apes and humans. The results suggested that th...