All posts tagged: improves

Morning blue light exposure improves sleep and activity levels in older adults

Morning blue light exposure improves sleep and activity levels in older adults

Published by José

Want to improve sleep and feel more active during the day? For older adults, the answer might be as simple as switching to blue-enriched light in the mornings. A recent study published in GeroScience shows that this type of light can positively influence the body’s natural rhythms, resulting in better sleep and increased daytime engagement for seniors at home. As people get older, their sleep patterns often change, and they may find it harder to get restful sleep. These changes can include sleeping less deeply, waking up more during the night, and feeling tired during the day. One reason for this is that as we age, our eyes become less effective at letting in light, which is important for regulating our body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. Think of our bodies as having an internal clock that is set by daylight. Reduced light input can weaken this clock, making it harder to maintain a consistent sleep schedule. Furthermore, older adults may spend less time outdoors in bright daylight and more time indoors under artificial light, which can also …

MPs hear of how assisted dying improves palliative care

MPs hear of how assisted dying improves palliative care

Published by skeptic

Pictured: Clare Turner, who has stage 4 breast cancer. Photo credit: My Death, My Decision Yesterday the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group (APPHG) co-hosted a My Death, My Decision-organised panel with parliamentarians to discuss assisted dying. At the meeting the speakers explained how assisted dying is an expression of fundamental values such as compassion and liberty. They debunked widespread myths and misinformation, such as conflict with palliative care and exaggerated risks of coercion. Humanists UK provides the secretariat to the APPHG. Clare Turner, a retired counsellor and mother of two from Devon who has stage 4 breast cancer, said: ‘Scans show that I am dying. I don’t want to be in this situation but I fully accept it. I would be at peace with the process if I knew that assisted dying was one of the options available to me. I don’t fear death but I do fear the end of life. ‘I have an oak tree that sweeps over my garden. I lie under it and watch the owls and the stars. It provides shade …

Cutting-edge AI platform significantly improves lung cancer diagnosis

Cutting-edge AI platform significantly improves lung cancer diagnosis

Published by skeptic

This platform allows fully automated analysis of tissue sections from lung cancer patients, improving both the speed and accuracy of diagnostic assessments. Lung cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounting for more than 80% of all cases. The disease affects millions of people globally, with a particularly high incidence of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) in female patients, while lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) is more prevalent in males. Graphical abstract of the study. (CREDIT: Cell Reports Medicine) For years, pathologists have played a central role in diagnosing lung cancer by examining tissue samples, often determining the best course of treatment based on their findings. Recently, digital pathology has transformed this process, allowing tissue sections to be digitized and analyzed on computer screens instead of under a microscope. This shift is critical for integrating advanced AI tools that can extract new types of information from these tissue samples. Dr. Tolkach emphasized the importance of this technological leap: “The new tools can not only improve the quality of diagnosis but also …

23andMe’s future prompts more worries, as genomic data analysis improves

23andMe’s future prompts more worries, as genomic data analysis improves

Published by skeptic

Customers of genetic data outfit 23andMe may be at greater risk than they realize, suggests a New York Times story that argues the company’s woes could be short-lived compared to the longer-term threats facing those roughly 15 million people if 23andMe can’t continue as a going concern. Certainly, the hope of founder and CEO Anne Wojcicki to turn around 23andMe seems increasingly unreachable. Following a major breach and resignation en mass of its independent directors, the company, once valued at $6 billion, is now valued at $150 million. It’s poised to be delisted next month. Press stories aren’t helping. (Would you buy one of its DNA kits?) The company says it remains committed to “follow laws that regulate the data we collect,” but if at some point soon it can’t, that’s worrisome, says a Yale biomedical professor to the Times. He notes that hacked credit cards can be replaced, while a genome cannot. Meanwhile, he adds, the tech that analyzes genomes is advancing. Chances are it will become more revealing, too. Source link

Natural dietary supplement improves memory and cognitive function, study finds

Natural dietary supplement improves memory and cognitive function, study finds

Published by skeptic

Researcher is leading a study into whether nicotinamide riboside (NR) improves memory and brain blood flow in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. (CREDIT: University of Delaware) This discovery holds immense significance as it suggests that NR may influence the metabolic pathways implicated in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. The research, funded by an NIH grant and the Intramural Research Program of the NIH National Institute on Aging, was recently published in the journal Aging Cell. Nicotinamide riboside (NR) is readily converted into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a crucial molecule for cellular repair and DNA damage restoration. According to Christopher Martens, assistant professor of kinesiology and applied physiology at the University of Delaware, and Dr. Dimitrios Kapogiannis, a senior investigator at the National Institute on Aging, the levels of NAD+ decline with age and in individuals with chronic diseases. Christopher Martens, assistant professor of kinesiology and applied physiology and director of the Delaware Center for Cognitive Aging Research, works with blood samples as part of his groundbreaking Alzheimer’s research. (CREDIT: University of Delaware) This decline is …

New BIOS update improves MSI Claw performance by 150%

New BIOS update improves MSI Claw performance by 150%

Published by skeptic

MSI has made significant performance improvements to its MSI Claw gaming device. The introduction of a new BIOS version, E1T41IMS.106, and a GPU driver, 31.0.101.5445, has apparently now transformed the gaming experience on the Claw, offering substantial improvements in performance and compatibility. These updates have empowered the device to handle the top 100 popular games on the Steam platform with remarkable efficiency, delivering up to a staggering 150% improvement in game performance in some cases. The impact of the new BIOS and GPU drivers is particularly evident in several high-demand games that push the boundaries of mobile gaming. For instance, the open-world horror game “7 Days to Die” has experienced performance boosts of up to 150%, allowing players to immerse themselves in the post-apocalyptic world with unprecedented smoothness and responsiveness. Similarly, critically acclaimed titles like “Monster Hunter World” and “Cyberpunk 2077” have also benefited from these updates, with performance improvements exceeding 50%. These enhancements ensure that gamers can enjoy their favorite titles on the go without compromising on the quality and fluidity of the gameplay. …

Vitamin D impacts gut health and improves cancer immunity, study finds

Vitamin D impacts gut health and improves cancer immunity, study finds

Published by skeptic

Researchers have uncovered a surprising connection between vitamin D, gut bacteria, and cancer immunity in mice. (CREDIT: Creative Commons) Researchers have uncovered a surprising connection between vitamin D, gut bacteria, and cancer immunity in mice. This study, published in Science, offers a novel perspective on how dietary and microbial factors might influence our body’s ability to fight cancer. This improved immunity also translated to a better response to immunotherapy, a promising cancer treatment that harnesses the body’s own immune system. Interestingly, the effect persisted even when the researchers used gene editing to remove a protein that normally binds vitamin D in the bloodstream, limiting its availability to tissues. Further investigation revealed an unexpected twist. Vitamin D appeared to be exerting its influence not directly on immune cells, but rather on epithelial cells lining the intestines. These intestinal cells, in turn, promoted the growth of a specific type of bacteria called Bacteroides fragilis. When mice were given Bacteroides fragilis supplements alone, they too displayed improved tumor resistance, highlighting the bacterium’s role in boosting immunity. However, this …

OpenAI improves prevention for Generative AI misuse

OpenAI improves prevention for Generative AI misuse

Published by skeptic

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to advance and integrate into various aspects of our lives, the importance of ensuring the safety of vulnerable populations, particularly children, has become increasingly evident. Generative AI, a subset of AI technologies capable of creating original content such as text, images, and videos, presents unique challenges in this regard. The potential for these technologies to be misused to generate harmful content has raised concerns among experts and the public alike. In response, leading AI organizations, including OpenAI, have taken proactive measures to address these issues and prioritize child safety in the development and deployment of their generative AI models. OpenAI’s Approach to Child Safety OpenAI, a prominent research organization in the field of AI, has demonstrated a strong commitment to integrating child safety considerations into its generative AI models, such as ChatGPT and DALL-E. By adopting a proactive approach known as ‘Safety by Design,’ OpenAI aims to embed safety measures throughout the development lifecycle of its AI technologies. This involves close collaboration with organizations specializing in child safety, such as …

New antioxidant supplement improves cognition and memory

New antioxidant supplement improves cognition and memory

Published by skeptic

Age-related decline in cognitive and muscle function remains a significant challenge in healthcare, with associated costs expected to rise. (CREDIT: Creative Commons) Age-related decline in cognitive and muscle function remains a significant challenge in healthcare, with associated costs expected to rise. This decline is often attributed to oxidative stress, which damages cells through oxygen-free radicals. Antioxidants found in certain foods neutralize these radicals, reducing cell damage and slowing age-related decline. When an antioxidant-rich diet isn’t feasible, people may turn to supplements. A recent study led by Professor Koji Fukui from the Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), along with Dr. Fukka You from Gifu University, discovered that administering a blend of antioxidant supplements to aged mice notably improved spatial cognition, short-term memory, and muscle durability. Changes in various measurement indices during breeding in TwX-treated aged mice. Body weights of the mice from 18 to 19.5 months old. (CREDIT: MDPI) Prof. Fukui explained, “In this study, significant improvements were observed in spatial learning ability and short-term memory in supplement-treated aged mice. Long-term intake of blended antioxidant supplements …

How Mary Berry Improves Minestrone Soup

How Mary Berry Improves Minestrone Soup

Published by Sam

Despite what the weather may look like right now, it is in fact spring and for those of us that spending our sundays cooking up a storm, it means fresh new batches of recipes to put on rotation. Where better to start than the classic minestrone soup? Packed with veggies, pasta, beans, and plenty of nutrients, this soup is the perfect healthy lunch that’ll leave you feeling satiated for hours. That being said… what if we improved it with an ingredient that the culinary queen herself, Mary Berry, swears by? While Mary sticks to most of the traditional ingredients in this recipe and makes the most of spring vegetables, she does have one extra ingredient she likes to add and, to be honest, I wish I’d known sooner. That’s because Mary uses no other than a good ol’ dollop of pesto to round off her minestrone soup! Imagine that combined with the flavour we know and love?! My mouth is watering thinking of it, honestly. Mary Berry’s minestrone soup recipe As featured on Saturday Kitchen, …