Deep sleep secrets

Trying to close the eyes but still can not fall asleep too. Once asleep for a while, then there's something to make us awake and finally fight again just to get to sleep. That which may be common to many people in urban areas. After at least 8 hours of working for money, it turns out at night still have to fight to be able to sleep so the next day can move smoothly.

Something that takes a lot of urban people may be the secret to a good night's sleep and quality. More recently, Taruna Ikrar, an Indonesian neuroscientist who is now teaching and researching at the University of California, Irvine, found it.

Illustration of Deep sleep. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1yOwQTU)

Recently in the Journal of a publication, Taruna outlines that sleep quality is influenced by hormonal balance, especially the levels of melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH).

Taruna and his team conducted experiments with mice that have been genetically engineered. Engineering to kept mice have specific protein labeling, ZsGreen1 Fluorescent Protein, on the end of receiving excitatory nerve cells containing H3R (Histamine Receptor No.3).

ZsGreen1 are the green specific proteins that can record the work of nerve cells that play a role in the activity of histamine-related compounds. H3R itself is the end of the nerve cells that in charge of receiving the sleep stimulus.

After genetically engineered, then the mice induced by MCH hormone. Then mice observed by Photostimulation laser. Nerve cell activity monitored directly with the help of electrodes that have been installed on the brain.

"The mice were induced with MCH and given H3R histamine types showed lower activity, easier to fall asleep, and showed less active conditions when compared with mice that were not induced," said Taruna outlines the results.

Based on the research results, Taruna said, the secret to a good night's sleep is to maintain a balance of hormonal activity of the body, especially the MCH, and maintain levels of histamine compounds.

"This balance will be the key to improving the quality of sleep, and also become a very important factor for the quality of life and health of a person," he explained to Kompas.com, on Saturday, November 15, 2014.

One of the keys to maintaining hormonal balance is keeping the good food, weight, and regular exercise activity. Also the water consumption greatly affect the balance of MCH.

Another benefit of this invention is the new way to help people suffering from sleep disorders. "Healthy People who experience sleep disorders can be treated with special drugs that affect histamine receptors in the brain, particularly the histamine receptor number 3 (H3R) so that sleep disorders in people can be improved, so too can prevent the negative effects of lack of sleep," Taruna said. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | KOMPAS.COM]

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Tobacco can desist Ebola virus?

Prof Sutiman, a bio-cell professor of Brawijaya University, Malang revealed, tobacco that grown in some areas in Indonesia can be used to counter the Ebola virus that is currently being warmly discussed because there is no cure.

Tabacco plant. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1nM1ZXJ)

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"Ebola virus that is similar to HIV/AIDS are still not found a cure. However, to prevent the virus does not extend, is actually quite easy, namely the tobacco is processed into a vaccine," said Prof. Sutiman in Malang, Monday, August 25, 2014.

According to him, the Ebola virus is transmitted through the contact of body or saliva and can damage the circulatory system to the blood vessels rupture. Symptoms of Ebola virus in a person, he said, of which is marked by the body feels hot for two days to three weeks, sore throat, muscle ached, headache, vomiting, and diarrhea. The ebola virus attack, said the founder of Healthy Homes with smoking therapy, it can lead to liver and kidney function decline and blood out of the skin.

Tobacco farmers were planting tobacco seeds. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/ZVqh6J)

Based on WHO records of 1,716 cases of Ebola virus, among which 1,350 people died. And people died because the Ebola virus is prevalent in West Africa, Brinee, Guinea Sierre Leone, Liberia, Negeria, and a number of countries in the African continent.

"If you look at the condition, the terrible, especially medicine and has not been found yet," he said. Furthermore, Prof. Sutiman says that tobacco has many health benefits. It has been known since it was first discovered in the United States.

The Europeans brought the American tobacco to Europe for drugs made ​​from 1500 AD to the present. According to him, in addition used to treat several diseases, tobacco can also be made to prevent ebola virus vaccine.

Special for the ebola virus, in the tobacco plant has tobacco muzaic virus and it can be inserted antibody genes to antiebola. So, he said, the tobacco plants could produce antiebola vaccines.

"Therefore, if we were from the University of Brawijaya is believed and were appointed to the vaccine, we ara ready," he said. But, said Sutiman, to develop such a vaccine on the market is very difficult because the problem is very complex, although he believes if the hoopla behind the ebola virus will emerge a new vaccine.

According to him, Indonesia has always been a potential market for the ebola virus vaccine. "Imagine, how many millions of people who should be vaccinated, well, it's a business, but to make the vaccine is very easy and the raw materials from tobacco that thrives in Indonesia," he said further.

Therefore, he called on all parties, especially the government, are not easily ingested global campaign that could destroy the tobacco biological wealth in Indonesia because Indonesia has a kind of tobacco varieties and are not owned in many parts of the world.

There is a kind of Indonesian tobacco can not live in other areas, such as Madura, Jember, and Temanggung tobacco. Under these conditions, only natural that the Dutch was very happy while colonized Indonesia because tobacco is originally from the USA, then brought to Europe that was to be used as a medicine since the year 1500 AD.

"Long-term conditions and the extent of this impact should be studied in order not to harm the country, as we have already experienced in the coconut oil," he said. He asserted, "So, this tobacco-related campaigns do not inconsequential, let alone to destroy it because to comply with the world's tar and nicotine, as we knew just motivated purely business competition." *** [EKA FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | REPUBLIKA]

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Flavanol-rich cocoa potentially dampen memory decline

A recent study published in the journal Nature Neuroscience showed memory decline with age can be mitigated by consuming cocoa that has a rich flavanol - a natural antioxidant that is also found in tea leaves and fruits and certain of vegetables.

Chocolate, or rather, the flavanol-rich cocoa compounds found in some varieties, may be linked to improved memory functioning in older adults. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/ZU9Jff)

According to researchers, this study provides evidence, if one of the components of memory loss associated with aging in humans due to a change in a specific region of the brain-dentate gyrus. Then, the form of memory loss can be improved with the help of diet.

"When we portray our brains of research subjects, we found a noticeable improvement in dentate gyrus function in those who consume cocoa beverages with high flavanol content," said Adam Brickman, lead author and a professor at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) in the United States.

The brain area outlined in yellow is the hippocampus; the dentate gyrus is shown in green and the entorhinal cortex in purple. Previous work, including by the laboratory of senior author Scott A. Small, M.D., had shown that changes in a specific part of the brain's hippocampus -- the dentate gyrus -- are associated with normal age-related memory decline in humans and other mammals. The dentate gyrus is distinct from the entorhinal cortex, the hippocampal region affected in early-stage Alzheimer's disease. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/10uU1s1)

In the study, researchers recruited 37 healthy volunteers aged 50-69 years. These volunteers were randomized to receive high-flavanol drink (900 grams per day) and low flavanol (10 mg per day) for three months.

Results showed that the group who consumed drinks with high flavanol content was significantly better in a memory test.

"If the participant has 60 years of memory types at baseline, after three months they have an average age of 30 or 40 years types of memory," said Scott A. Small, senior author (CUMC) as reported by the ScienceDaily.

The researchers noted, the products used in the study are not the same as the chocolate, and they were careful to increased consumption of chocolate in an attempt to get this effect. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SCIENCEDAILY | NATIONAL POST]

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Lots of drinking soda make you look older?

A study found that soft drinks can make certain cells in the body grow old faster. Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco concluded that sugary soda drinks such as colas affecting the health of white blood cells on a scale comparable to smoking.

A study says that sweet drink may make you age faster. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1yEjCtz)

The researchers studied over 5,309 white blood cells in healthy adults by looking at their telomeres. Telomeres are the ends of chromosomes that shorten each time a cell divides, and the cell will die when telomeres are too short. Thus, the scientists believe they have a longer mean telomere live healthier and younger, while short telomeres are less healthy and becoming older faster.

By looking at data from a national health survey and nutrition examination during 1999-2002, researchers found that those who consumed sugary fizzy drinks associated with shorter telomeres. Consumption of 350 milliliters of soda per day can speed up to 4.6 years of aging.

The American Heart Association says that the best way to maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of heart disease is to limit added sugar daily, which is not melibihi 150 calories for men and 100 calories for women. One 12-ounce cans of regular soda has 150-170 calories and about 40 grams of sugar. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WDSU NEWS]

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Scientists put our body tissue in Silicon chip

Testing a new drug to be safe and effective is an expensive and long process. The researchers seek to design a silicon computer chip that can function like a human organ, so the process is faster and cheaper.

Pieces of silicon that is smaller than the hands of children is coated with living cells that function and react like organs in the body. These pieces were created as part of Tissue Chip for Drug Screening program to evaluate the safety of drug compounds.

The program is led by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), which Danilo Tagle served as director. Tagle describe how the three-dimensional pieces that were created in order to mimic the workings of the lungs.

A neurovascular unit on a chip being developed by Vanderbilt University researchers. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1uCSzLa)

"In that case, the cells will replace the role of an air bag, a special tool designed to breathe and expand, and can suck air and fluid as normal lung. For the heart, this tool will replace the heart muscle, and can demonstrate the ability to expand and deflate and beating heart muscle proper, "he said.

These pieces that contain very small replicas of the digestive system, can function like the human stomach and intestines, which move when digesting food. Drugs included in this small organs and through micro-pipes. Experiment with pieces of this network has resulted in more accurate data than the conventional test using animal models or cell.

NCATS has recently provided a grant of US $ 17 million for the next three years to develop a system of organs of the human body as a whole. "So this will be an integrated, interrelated and function, almost like a human body in a chip," he said.

With an interconnected system, the researchers say they can safely evaluate the impact of a drug on different organ systems, for example, to see the level of liver toxicity, as well as monitor the impact on the targeted organ.

New drugs could have passed the laboratory safety tests on animals, said Tagle. "But once tested in humans, the drug turned out to cause toxic side effects," he said.

Scientists want to streamline the drug development process; they hoped that the network chip is able to recognize which drugs are best and most secure before clinically tested in humans. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | VOA NEWS]

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Stem cells from human embryos proven safe

The longest trial on stem cells from human embryos showed that the cells do not cause problems worrying scientists, such as forming a tumor, and partial blindness reversing the eye that received a transplant.

The study, published in The Lancet that could help revive the controversial effort to harness stem cells, which have the capacity to turn out 200 types of human cells to treat disease. In the preface to the report accompanying the study, Dr. Anthony Atala of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, called the results of the study as "a major accomplishment."

Stem cells implanted into the eye were found to be safe and even beneficial for vision. (Picture from: http://nydn.us/1t1nYur)

After the excitement among scientists and the public about stem cells are promising and debate ethical issues regarding the destruction of the human embryo to obtain cells, the field was tripped when a large trial of spinal cord injury therapy by Geron Corp. halted in 2011 and the interest of other companies preparing.

The main purpose of the study was to assess the safety of cell transplantation. Cells called the retinal pigment epithelial cells are created by taking stem cells from day-old embryos in fertility clinics and stimulating them to differentiate into specialized cells. 

Stem cell colonies developed using the SCNT method. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1nwQXp3)

The study "provides the first evidence in humans that suffer from the disease, about the long-term safety and the possibility of biological activity" of cells taken from fetuses, said one of the study's authors, Dr. Robert Lanza of Advanced Cell Technology, which produces cells and funded the study. 

Nine patients with Stargardt disease (which causes macular degeneration in childhood) and nine other patients who experience dry age-related macular degeneration (the leading cause of blindness in adults) received a transplant of retinal cells in one eye. The other eye was maintained as a control. 

Four eyes had a cataract and the two become inflamed, the possibility for the influence of patient age (average 77 years) or the use of immunosuppressive drugs for transplant. Retinal cells that help the function of the rods and cones eye can survive and function in all patients, most of his eyesight improved. 

In patients with macular degeneration, eye treated on average see 14 additional letters on a standard eye chart after a year of receiving the cells, with one patient saw 19 letters. Eyes that did not receive treatment worsened it. The results were similar in patients with Stargardt. 

In fact, other patients who could not see the object with a height of less than four meters can now see normal-sized adults. Eye of a 75-year-old farmer who was blind (20/400) improved so 20/40, enough to ride again, Lanza said. The others so can use the computer, watch the clock, go to the mall or take a trip to the airport alone for the first time in many years. 

Dusko Ilic stem cell expert from Kings College, London, who was not involved in the study cautioned that even if clinical trials are planned later this year is also successful, "it will take many years before the treatment can be done."  *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | REUTERS]

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Scientists managed to reveal the origin of HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS is still a scourge. Attention to the virus peaked in 1980, and until now has infected nearly 75 million people in the world. It has long been known, the virus has a longer history in Africa, however, where the pandemic originated is still a heated debate.

Kinshasa, pictured in 1955, was at the centre of the pandemic, scientists say. (Picture from: http://bbc.in/1nSWNS5)

To uncover the mystery, an international team trying to reconstruct the genetics of HIV. To find out where its oldest ancestors originated spreading on human. The findings in the virus archeology is used to find the origin of the pandemic. Similarly, the team reports in the journal Science. Experts using archival samples of HIV's genetic code to track the source. And in fact, the origin of pandemic traced from the 1920s in the city of Kinshasa is now part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The spreading description of HIV virus, which began in Kinshasa in the early 1920s. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1t1j5BD)

Their report said, the sex trade is rampant, rapid population growth, and not sterile needles are used in clinics suspected of spreading the virus. Creating 'perfect storm' conditions. Meanwhile, the railroads were built with the support of Belgium - in which one million people across the city each year - carry the HIV virus to the surrounding area. Then on to the world.

The team of scientists from the University of Oxford and the University of Leuven, Belgium trying to reconstruct the 'family tree' of HIV and found the origins of the virus ancestor. "You can see the traces of history in today's genome - the recorded data, signs mutations in the HIV genome can not be removed," said Professor Oliver Pybus of the University of Oxford, told the BBC on Friday, October 3, 2014. By reading the signs of mutation the team could reconstruct a family tree and trace its roots.

HIV is a mutated version of the chimpanzee (pictured a Chimpanzee) virus, known as simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVcpz) - which might make the leap the species, to humans, through contact with infected blood. (Picture from: http://bbc.in/1nSWNS5)

HIV is a mutated version of the chimpanzee virus, known as simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVcpz) - which might make the leap the species, to humans, through contact with infected blood. This virus was first spread on the chimpanzees hunters when handling the animal meat. The first case was reported in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, in 1930. The virus makes the jump on several occasions. One of them leads to HIV-1 subtype O is spread in Cameroon. Then, the HIV-1 subtypes M that infect millions of people worldwide.

In the 1920s, Kinshasa - formerly called Leopoldville until 1966 - was part of the Belgian Congo. "The city was very large and very fast growing. Medical records show a high incidence of the colonial era a number of sexually transmitted diseases," said Professor Oliver Pybus.

At that time, male workers flowing into the city, triggering a gender imbalance, with the male and female ratio of 2:1 - that triggered the rise of sex trafficking. Plus factor with disease treatment practices through non-sterile injections were effectively spread the virus.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacks the immune system. (Picture from: http://bbc.in/1nSWNS5)

"Another interesting aspect is the transportation network that makes people move easily." Approximately 1 million people use the rail network of Kinshasa in the late 1940s. "And the virus was spread, first to the neighboring city of Brazzaville, and extends to a province area which ​​their economy is sustained on mining, Katanga. The 'perfect storm' conditions, only lasted for a few decades in Kinshasa. But when it ended, HIV is already spreading to the rest of the world.

Jonathan Ball of the University of Nottingham said, the findings was attractive because it provides a new insight into the early phase of the HIV-1 pandemic. "The suspect who made the virus to gain a foothold in humans - is transportation, the population increases, health practices, and prostitution," as he told the BBC. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BBC]

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Green tea could help fight Cancer

A study published this week in the journal Nature Nanotechnology find, a molecule that is the main ingredient in green tea can be used as a carrier or carriers of anticancer protein, - forming a stable and effective of therapeutic nanocomplexes.

These findings by researchers could help build a better health care system. To come to this conclusion, Joo Eun Chung and colleagues used the molecule (-)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG), which is found in high abundance in green tea, to create Herceptin or an anticancer protein carrier.

Excess EGCG compared to other carrier is to have anticancer effects as well. The researchers then injected nanocomplexes EGCG-Herceptin in mice. They then found that certain tumors in mice reduced growth in the longer term. The researchers say, some cancer treatment depends on the drugs consisting of drug therapy and a carrier that deliver drugs to the tumor site.

When designing a drug carrier, several factors must be considered, for example, have to attack the tumor. Then, the ratio of the drug carrier, because the use of high amounts can cause toxicity if the body is not able metabolizes it.

In addition, the drug could turn too complex becomes ineffective, if the body against (the drugs) and remove it too quickly, such as reported by Medical News Today. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MEDICAL NEWS TODAY]

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Loud noise can change how brain processes speech

New research says loud noises such as sirens of fire trucks or ambulances even loud noise of an mp3 player can damage the brain and ears. About 15 percent of Americans between the ages of 20-69 years of hearing loss due to exposure to loud noises. Scientists know that loud noises can damage the hair cells in the ear that receives the voices.

Patrick Kanold, a neuroscientist at the University of Maryland who was record neural activity in auditory cortex of adult rats, which is a part of the brain that produce the hearing. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1tEELnC)

Regular exposure to sounds greater than 100 
decibelsfor more than a minute at a time may 
lead to permanent hearing loss, according to 
the National Institute of Deafness and Other 
Communication Disorders. (Picture from:  
http://bit.ly/1oFGUb9)

Research recently said that hearing damage can also affect the brain's ability to process sounds into words and conversation. Scientists from the University of Texas at Dallas gives voice loud noises that cause mild and severe hearing damage in rats.

After that, scientists examine the parts of the brain that processes sound rat, which is called the auditory cortex. In mice that severely damaged his hearing is less than 1/3 cortex showed no reaction when the given stimuli. In the sections that showed the reaction, the reaction is slower.

Brains of mice that had mild hearing damage also change, responds more slowly and require more stimulation than normal mice hearing function.

This is important, because as it is delivered to the researchers in the journal Ear and Hearing, hearing is a complicated process. They said the sound heard only the first step of the process is very complicated nerve, which the brain uses to convert it into speech sounds that could be understood.

Scientists also indicate if the hair cells are damaged ears will not grow back and the damage can not be repaired. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SCIENCEDAILY | VOA NEWS]

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The skin has odor receptors to heal wounds

A recent study from Germany showed, that the nose is not the only part of the body have receptors for smell. Apparently, the skin also have this receptor. However, unlike the receptors in the nose, receptors in the skin does not trigger emotions in the brain, however, it plays to heal cell damage (wound).

Scent receptors in our skin have been found to trigger wound repair. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1kTmTwS)

As reported by the New Scientist that in one study, Hanns Hatt and the laboratory of Ruhr Bochum University in Germany found that when keratinocytes - the main type of skin used as an object of study - mixed with Sandalore for five days in a test tube, increased cell reproduction by 32 percent and increased cell migration by nearly half. Both of these processes is necessary to repair the damaged skin. Sandalore a synthetic sandalwood oil which is often used in perfumes.

According to them, normally, when you smell something with the nose, odor receptors send messages to your brain. It can be reminded of the brain about the dangers, relaxation, or even detect the presence of a potential mate. In contrast to the smell receptors in the nose, Hatt and his team found that the smell receptors in the skin triggers skin cells to repair its basic damage.

Meanwhile, according to Joel Mainland of the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia, although there is a great tendency smell receptors are found in other parts of the body perform other functions, the facts about this receptor could repair the wound is surprising.

According to the Mainland, the concentration required to achieve these improvements are much higher than those used to activate the receptors in the nose. He said, in this case skin creams may be needed than strong-smelling oils used in aromatherapy.

"Although the idea of ​​healing skin cream may sound appealing, the results may be different depending on each individual, because" genetic variation in the odorant receptors," Mainland said as quoted by Medical Daily. For an individual, the oil may have a healing effect, while in others with different odor receptors; results can be neutral or even toxic.

Mainland added, though concerns about the drug's effect on certain people is very real, but the case of the use of drugs or creams useful in one case but in other cases not, was quite rare.

Meanwhile, Hatt shows this study can initiate the development of new disease treatments by targeting the smell receptors in other areas of our body. For example, in the form of treatment to heal wounds, repair skin damage caused by aging, and perhaps eventually a cure to treat internal organs.

Mainland conclude, it may take a long time to find a new treatment for a long period of time required to test the safety and efficacy. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | NEWSCIENTIST]

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The new method to increase bone volume

The researchers from the Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease University of Liverpool, England, discovered a new method to increase bone volume by 30 percent.

In this case, Professor Jonathan Jarvis of Liverpool John Moores University designed miniature muscle pacemakers that were used in the University of Liverpool labs to produce contractions in the muscles of the legs of rats over 28 days. The study shows, through this method of getting 30 percent of mice bone density is included in the same target area.

The muscle pacing method used in the study saw the rats gain 30 percent of bone within the targeted areas. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1iS2n4p)

"The disease of bone and fragility affect the proportion of our population. However, no specific treatment is available affects the entire spine," said study leader said, the PhD candidate of University of Liverpool, Paula Vickerton as reported by the Liverpool University public release.

The researchers said that this method serves to help people, including elderly women after menopause, which generally have brittle bones due to loss of density. In addition, according to them, this method also offers the possibility of a more effective treatment than is available today.

Commenting on these findings, Paula supervisor, Dr. Nathan Jeffery said, this method proved to increase bone volume and increase the possibility of the development of the treatment of people at risk of debilitating bone complications. This research has been published in the Royal Society journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SCIENCEDAILY]

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Consume marijuana before age 15 can be caused insomnia

Recent research by the University of Pennsylvania, USA, showed that people who use marijuana (cannabis) before reaching the age of 15 years, double the risk of developing insomnia later in life. Researchers in the U.S. found that a history of drug use and marijuana linked to increased risk of sleeping difficulties.

The participants in this study, which is when a child has been using marijuana, reported having trouble sleeping, where they have struggled to fall asleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, not sleep well, and feel sleepy during the day.

The scientists at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia found a similarity in adults who use marijuana before age 15. "Users and ex-users of marijuana are more likely to have trouble sleeping," said Jilesh Chheda, a research assistant at the University of Pennsylvania.

Smoked marijuana at a young age? Early cannabis use can impact your sleep quality and lead to sleep issues like insomnia later in adulthood. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/Tl6OJI)

"The most striking finding is that there is a strong relationship between age of first use with sleep problems experienced later in life, no matter how often they use marijuana. Guys who started to use cannabis from an early age are more likely to have sleep problems when they are adults," she said.

To achieve the results of the study, the researchers analyzed a group of adults, aged 20-59 years, were recorded in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey National from 2007 to 2008. A total of 1,811 participants reported a history of drug use or cannabis.

History of cannabis use were analyzed, such as a person's age first tried marijuana and how many times a person using marijuana in the last month. Difficulty sleeping is considered a severe problem if it happens at least 15 days a month.

The results showed that those who started using cannabis in adolescence may have a higher risk of suffering from sleeplessness at a later date. The researchers concluded that people started using drugs earlier are more likely to have trouble sleeping because of other reasons, including stress.

Researchers also said that insomnia can also be one of the reasons people start or continue the use of marijuana. However, researchers suggest the use of drugs to combat sleep problems tend to be ineffective, if people are still experiencing insomnia.

"Since the use of marijuana legal in some countries and states in the U.S., it is important to understand the impact of cannabis use on public health," said Chheda.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana use among young people has increased since 2007. Several experts have linked the rise in cannabis use with increased public debate about the legal status of opium leaves,  that's Dailymail reports said. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DAILY MAIL]

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Researchers discover how to erase the memory and restore it back

Researchers from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine found a way to delete the memory and restore it back. The study, published in the journal Nature this is the first to demonstrate the ability to select the memory you want to remove and turn it back memories. The trick is to stimulate the nerves in the brain at a frequency that can weaken and strengthen the connection between nerve cells, called synapses.

Illustration of human brain. A new study in America is giving hope of a breakthrough in finding a cure for Alzheimer's Disease. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1m9Cqc5)

"We can form a memory, the memory wipe and reactivate it, by applying a stimulus that selectively strengthen or weaken the synaptic connections," says Roberto Malinow, a professor of neuroscience and senior author of the study as in the release of the University of California, San Diego Health Sciences.

For the purposes of the study, the researchers used mice as a research object. They stimulate the collection of nerves in the brain of mice that had been genetically modified to be sensitive to light, while delivering an electric shock to the foot of the animal.

These mice immediately associate the stimulation of the optic nerve with pain and fear behavior demonstrated when the nerve is stimulated. The analysis showed the chemical changes in the optic nerve synapses are stimulated, which indicates synaptic strengthening.

In subsequent experiments, the research team demonstrated the ability to undermine this by stimulating neural circuit similar to the deleted memory. They use low-frequency optical vibrations.

These rats then no longer respond to nerve stimulation with fear. It shows the pain of memory have been erased.

The most surprising result of this study is the discovery of a way to turn back the lost memories by stimulating the same nerve with forming memories. This is done using high-frequency optical vibrations.

Rats that experienced reconditioning once again respond to stimulation with fear, although not given electric shocks to their feet.

"We can make an animal has a fear then have no fear and have fear again by stimulating the nerve at a frequency that strengthen or weaken synapses," said Sadegh Nabavi, a researcher in the laboratory Malinow and lead study author.

In a potential clinical application, Malinow which also involved members of the Shiley Endowed Chair in Alzheimer's Disease Research, noted the beta amyloid peptide that accumulates in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease weakens synaptic connections, as well as low-frequency stimulation of rat mengapus memory.

"Because this study demonstrated the ability to reverse the process that weakens synapses, ... this could potentially counteract some of the effects of beta amyloid in Alzheimer's patients," Malinow said.

This research was funded in part by the National Institutes of Health and the Cure Alzheimer's Fund. Similarly, reported Newswise page. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CBS NEWS]

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