Timothy

Scientists have shown that the sex hormone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) might be responsible for male pattern baldness, which is known as androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Experts have said that DHT destroys hair follicles. Testosterone is said to be the root cause of this process, which leads to baldness in men. Hair loss of this nature is majorly triggered by the power of genetics, which seems to be an irresolvable issue. However, experts have suggested that caffeine application might be able to solve this problem. They have said that people do not need to opt for costly drugs or undergo invasive treatments. Such options are linked with nasty implications. In a study, applying caffeine extracted from coffee has stimulated potential hair growth and halted male pattern baldness. Experts have said that caffeine blocks DHT by reducing testosterone.

Experts have used scalp biopsy samples from AGA patients, which have been produced using different quantities of testosterone and caffeine for 120 to 192 hours. The study has found that concentrations of 0.001 percent and 0.005 percent of caffeine have been able to reduce the effects of testosterone on hair growth. Experts have seen greater hair shaft extension at 120 hours after caffeine application as compared to the control group. The findings of the study clearly indicate that caffeine is a great hair growth stimulator, which might be effective in treating AGA as well. Hair loss is a result of a variety of external and internal processes. Disturbing these processes can be risky at times. Experts have found that genetics has been a leading cause of hair loss in men.

A recent study has found that hair follicles are a faster drug delivery route for topically applied therapies. Experts have been studying the follicular diffusion of topical caffeine in hair follicles. Another study has as well examined the follicular diffusion of topical application of caffeine in a form of shampoo for two minutes. They have found that there have been faster and higher diffusion via hair follicles as compared to the interfollicular route, which is located between follicles. Experts have found that hair follicles have absorbed caffeine much faster than any other pathway after 20 minutes of application. The National Health Service has said that there are two types of effective treatments for AGA, the first one is finasteride, and the second one is minoxidil. The health agency has clearly warned that women should not go for finasteride as it might lead to undesirable side effects.

A new report has revealed that up to half of severe COVID19 patients have been dealing with blood clotting in veins, arteries, and microscopic vessels. Now, experts have been able to find the reason behind such a condition. They have revealed that a mysterious autoimmune antibody and high levels of neutrophils have been circulating in the bloodstream of the patients, which have been attacking the cells. The autoimmune antibody has led to blood clots in the arteries. Experts fear that such blood clots can cause life-threatening incidents such as heart attack or stroke. In the cases of severe COVID19 disease, microscopic clots can block blood flow in the lungs, which can damage oxygen exchange. Apart from COVID19 infection, these autoimmune antibodies are found in patients who have an autoimmune disease called antiphospholipid syndrome. Scientists have said that the connection between autoimmune antibodies and COVID19 is quite rare.

Many patients with COVID19 have been dealing with an increased level of inflammation and blood clotting in the body. Experts have seen that it has been causing severe kind of blood clotting in severe COVID19 patients. These negative antibodies along with neutrophils have been behind the condition. The new report has suggested that half of the patients with COVID19 who have been hospitalized have been identified with at least one of these autoantibodies. This study has been done by the Michigan Medicine Frankel Cardiovascular Center and the National Institutes of Health’s National Heart, Lungs, and Blood Institute. The Michigan Medicine Center has been studying antiphospholipid syndrome for years.

The new research has found that nearly half of the severe COVID19 patients have been dealing with a mix of high levels of autoantibodies and super activated neutrophils. Neutrophils are a form of exploding white cells, which are destructive in nature. Early this year, many patients who have been dealing with severe COVID19 have been identified with high levels of neutrophil extracellular traps in the bloodstream. Experts have done an experiment on rodents to see if a combination of neutrophils and autoantibodies can cause these fatal blood clots or not. They have found that the combination has caused a significant amount of clotting in the animals.

The COVID19 pandemic has taken a serious toll on the world. Although health experts have been trying to develop an effective treatment for the disease, however, the virus has become quite diverse in nature with time. A study has found that the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been accumulating genetic mutations, which might be the reason behind the virus being more contagious. The research has enrolled around 5000 patients with COVID19 in Houston. This study has been published in a peer-reviewed journal called mBio. Experts have said that a genetic mutation called D614G, which sits in the spike protein of the virus, is responsible for it to be more infectious. This is the largest peer-reviewed study, which has been done on genomes of the virus across one metropolitan region of the US.

The research shows that the virus has been mutating due to a blend of neutral gist, which means casual genetic alterations, which do not harm or help the virus. The co-author of the study Dr. Ilya Finkelstein has said that during the first stage of the pandemic, nearly 71 percent of patients who have been dealing with COVID19, have been identified with this type of mutation. In the second wave of the outbreak, around 99.9 percent of people have been detected with the virus-carrying this type of mutation. This trend has been observed around the world, said the experts. Earlier a study, which has included more than 28000 genome sequences, has found that virus variant having a D614G mutation has become a globally ruling type of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The SARS-CoV-2 virus causes COVID19 disease. This study has been put together by scientists from Houston Methodist Hospital.

Another study, which has been done on 25000 genome sequences, has found that viruses with this mutation spread faster than other types of viruses, which do not carry the D614G mutation. This research has been done in the UK. Experts have claimed the virus with D614G mutation leads to larger clusters of infection. Some of the experts do not agree with the findings of the study. They have said that D614G mutation has been more prevalent in coronaviruses, which have landed in Europe and North America. It has given a head start to other strains of the virus. The new study says that the spike protein of the virus, which pries on the cells of the body for causing infection, builds up the genetic mutations randomly. Experts believe that at least one of these mutations allows spike protein to neutralize antibodies, which wards of the infection. On the other hand, scientists have not found any strain of the virus, which can dodge, first-generation vaccines.

The officials have informed that Kroger pharmacy is supposed to launch rapid antibody testing by the end of November. These rapid antibody testing will be able to show results in just 15 minutes. All the branches of Kroger pharmacy across the US have been preparing to provide these rapid screening to the customers. The rapid tests will be performed using a finger prick blood sample, said the officials. This will cost around $25 in the United States. The officials of Kroger pharmacy have said that people who have not been infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus and think that they may have been infected with the disease in the past will be covered under this testing program. The officials have said that making rapid testing kits available at all the branches of the pharmacy will be an affordable choice for those who want to know whether they have contracted the virus in the past.

Experts have claimed these rapid antibody testing will help health professionals to identify the long-term effects of COVID19. It will help them to come up with a potent public health policy to combat the disease. The rapid test will quickly determine whether the person has been infected with the virus in the past even if he or she is perfectly fine, said the experts. Rapid antibody tests are already accessible at some of the stores of Kroger pharmacy in Michigan and California. This pharmaceutical firm provides in-clinic and at-home diagnostic tests as well for COVID19. As per the reports, the majority of the healthcare providers and clinics provide antibody tests, people who want to get testing done, need to approach their primary care doctor first.

There are multiple COVID19 testing booths have been installed at different places in Michigan. These tests are available free. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as well has approved the rapid antibody test, which is being offered by Kroger pharmacy. Colleen Lindholz, the president of Kroger pharmacy has said that they are committed to helping people in the COVID19 Pandemic. The testing solution has been supported by licensed health professionals and experienced healthcare providers as well.

Scientists at Yale University, the Broad Institute of MIT, and Harvard have observed hundreds of millions of cells that have been infected with the SARS-CoV-2 and MERS viruses. While studying the cells, they have found dozens of genes that are helpful and harmful both. One set of genes helps the virus replicate in cells and the other set of genes prevents the virus from infecting the cells. The pro-viral and antiviral roles of the genes will assist the experts to come up with new treatments to fight COVID19. The findings of the study have been released in the journal Cell. Experts have earlier revealed how the SARS-CoV-2 virus invades the cell but it has not been known why some cells are more prone to the virus. The SARS-CoV-2 virus causes COVID19 disease. Scientists have said that determining the genetics of host cells’ inclination towards the virus might explain why some people have few symptoms and why some people become severely ill or face death.

In the study, experts have performed a genome-wide screening of a line of green monkey cells. These cells are more likely to die after being infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus as compared to human cell lines. Experts have been able to track the interaction of cells and the virus both in the screening for the first time. The screens have verified that the ACE-2 gene, which identifies the receptor on the surface of the cell, helps in the growth of the virus. The process has found two new proviral protein complexes, which assist the virus, and a third protein, which prevents the viral infection. SWI/SNF complex, which twists genes on and off, and another complex called HMGB1, which performs myriad functions have been linked to a higher rate of cell death after infection.

Experts have revealed a small molecule drug, which has been able to reduce the functions of two identified genes. They have found that the drug has been able to increase the survival rate of the cells, which have been infected in the lab. They have discovered another protein complex called histone B3 as well, which controls the expression of genes within the cell nucleus. It provides a protective cover and reduces the ability of the virus to infect and kill the cells. Scientists have said that these genes with different roles might allow them to identify people who are at a greater risk of dying due to COVID19. The authors of the study have said the new findings might help in identifying the drugs as well, which will be detrimental in treating patients. Other experts have said that these findings will help prepare for other outbreaks in the future.

We all have started thinking about our general health more than ever since the COVID19 pandemic has hit the world. We all know that underlying conditions such as hypertension and diabetes are linked with a greater risk of COVID19. Recently, experts have come up with an interesting fact, which can help us to keep a track of our health and avoid serious complications. They have said that avocados can be very beneficial for diabetics and prediabetics. Prediabetic people usually have higher blood sugar levels than normal but it is not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes. Experts have said that avocados are full of vitamins, nutrients, and healthy fatty acids. These nutrients help reduce cholesterol. This magic fruit prevents cancer as well, said the experts.

Food Science Professor Dr. Paul Spanguolo has said that avocados are essential for regulating blood sugar levels. He has said that Avocatin B is a bioactive ingredient, which is found in a certain kind of avocadoes. This ingredient can be a healthy dietary choice for diabetic and prediabetic people. This bioactive ingredient helps to maintain metabolism, blood sugar, insulin levels, and weight in adults. These health factors are important for everyone; however, it is especially crucial for people who are dealing with diabetes or on the verge of being diagnosed with the disease. Dr. Paul has said that if metabolism is functioning well, everything else like blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure is in control. Once metabolism goes out of control, the body starts burning either fat or glucose, a higher amount of either of these can cause build up in the blood. Imbalanced blood sugar can adversely affect overall health. In the case of diabetes, it can lead to even more serious complications such as heart attack or a stroke.

The author of the report has said that avocadoes can rebalance blood sugar levels. He has said that people can incorporate avocadoes in their daily diet along with plenty of fruits and protein-rich nuts and grains. Avocados make people feel fuller for a long time. Dr. Paul has claimed that along with regular exercise, less sugar intake, avocados can make a significant difference in regulating healthy blood sugar levels. The UC Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said that there are 30 million people who are suffering from diabetes in the US. Another 88 million people are living with higher levels of blood sugar than normal and they are on the verge of being diagnosed with diabetes.

Experts have said that people with Down syndrome are 10 times more prone to death due to COVID19 infection as compared to those who do not have this disorder. The study says that the risk of hospitalization has increased by fourfold among the people who have been dealing with Down syndrome. Experts have warned that this group of people is still not protected. This report has been published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine. This analysis has included more than 8 million adults. These participants have been a part of a coronavirus assessment project; this has been funded by the British government.

The study has found that out of 8.26 million people, nearly 4053 people have been suffering from Down syndrome. Around 68 out of them have lost their lives due to the disorder. Whereas 40 percent of them have died due to COVID19. The study has noted that 77 people have died due to pneumonia and 35 percent of them have been killed by other causes. Experts have compared these findings with 41000 people who do not have Down syndrome. In this group, only 20 percent of people have died due to COVID19. At the same time, around 14 percent of people have lost their lives to pneumonia and 65 percent have died due to other reasons. Experts have highlighted an important point saying that Down syndrome has not been mentioned in any of the guidelines of the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the UK’s Health Advisory. No government has issued a warning linked to this disorder stating that it might put the patients at an increased risk of COVID19.

This condition is linked to immune dysfunction, congenital heart failure, and pulmonary pathology. Considering the prevalence of the disease, it might be an unconfirmed risk factor for severe COVID19 infection, said the experts. National Down Syndrome Society has said that patients with the condition might have a hard time disclosing if they feel sick. Such people might not be able to describe the symptoms they are suffering from. Hence, there is a need to pay attention to people with Down syndrome. This condition is a common genetic disorder, which is diagnosed in the US each year. The CDC has reported that more than 6000 infants are born with Down syndrome every year in the US. This disorder is reported in 1 out of 700 babies.

A study has shown that people who take a high flavanol diet such as berries, apples, and tea might suffer from lower blood pressure. Scientists have used objective measures of thousands of UK citizens’ diets. They have tried to establish a link between their diet and low blood pressure. The research has been done on more than 25000 people. Experts have looked for flavanol levels in their daily diet with the help of nutritional biomarkers such as indicators of diet intake and metabolism, which are present in the blood. Other studies more often rely on participants reporting their diet. The study has been published in Scientific Reports.

The research has found that the blood pressure difference among those who have a 10 percent lower intake of flavanol and those who have a 10 percent higher level of flavanol in their diet intake has been between 2 and 4 mmHg. It is similar to significant changes in blood pressure analyzed in people who eat a Mediterranean diet. This effect has been more prominent in people with high blood pressure. The lead author of the study Dr. Gunter Kuhnle has said that this is the first epidemiological research of this range, which has explored the link between a bioactive compound and health. The findings of this study are similar to previous dietary intervention studies. It says that the same results can be achieved with a regular high flavanol diet.

A team of experts from the University of Reading, Cambridge University, The University of California Davis, and Mars has examined the data of 25618 volunteers from the European Prospective Investigation Into Cancer (EPIC) Norfolk Study. The international team has confirmed that a major difference has been seen in volunteers with high blood pressure, which means if people start taking a flavanol-rich diet, there will be a major drop in heart issues. Scientists have applied objective biomarkers of flavanol consumption at such a large scale in this study, which has helped in avoiding significant limitations, which have been standard with other studies in the past.

Health experts have been trying to slow down the spread of the virus, as the whole world grapples with the COVID19 pandemic. Keeping hand hygiene, wearing masks, and maintaining social distance have become people’s second nature now. However, a new study has found that another preventive measure might have gone wrong in the US. As per the study, half of the people who have been tested positive for COVID19 have not been able to identify their close contacts. Contact tracing is very important for containing the spread of the virus. This study has been published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report of the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The study has observed a set of COVID19 patients in North Carolina where a high incidence of coronavirus has been reported. During that time, the cases of COVID19 had increased by 183 percent.

The findings of the study say that more than 48 percent of people who have been diagnosed with COVID19 infection in Mecklenburg County have not been able to report their close contacts. Nearly 25 percent of patients who have been able to identify their contact, those contacts have not been reachable. Experts have revealed that the median interval of time between the diagnosis of the first patient and reporting all the close contact, has been at least six days. Health experts say that failure of contact tracing is not restricted to one state. In states like Maryland and New Jersey, around 50 and 52 percent of COVID19 patients respectively have reported no close contacts.

The authors of the study have said that improved timelines of contact tracing and community engagement, and community-wide mitigation are crucial factors that play a big role in reducing the transmission of the virus. The app-based contact tracing has met an early obstruction in the US, unlike other countries. However, the authorities have re-launched a software called Exposure Notification Express app by Apple for successful implementation of contact tracing. It will be used by the officials of Maryland, Nevada, Virginia, and Washington DC.