Hungary has been checking newborns for serious health issues for 50 years now. This started with tests for two rare conditions: phenylketonuria and galactosemia. Later, they added a test for congenital hypothyroidism 40 years ago. Today, they test for 27 different disorders, plus an optional test for spinal muscular atrophy. Two big labs in Budapest and Szeged handl...
The world of science owes a lot to a tiny, transparent worm called Caenorhabditis elegans. It's not just any worm; it's a superstar in labs worldwide. But what makes it so special? It's not just the worm itself, but the way scientists work together to share resources and information. This teamwork has led to some big discoveries, even Nobel Prize-winning ones. Think...
Scientists have come up with a clever way to see tannic acid in drinks. They made tiny particles that glow in two colors: blue and orange. When these particles meet tannic acid, the orange glow fades, but the blue stays bright. This change helps them measure how much tannic acid is in a drink. The cool part is that these particles can show different colors. When the...
Scientists have come up with a clever idea to check for harmful chemicals in fruit. They made a special tool that can tell if there is too much of a substance called carbendazim (CBZ) in fruits. This tool is made from tiny sheets of a special material called sulfur-doped graphitic carbon nitride, decorated with another material called polyaniline. This combo makes th...
Mushrooms are not just tasty toppings on pizzas or ingredients in soups. They might actually do some good for your heart. Scientists took a close look at different studies to see if eating mushrooms could make a difference in heart health, metabolism, and even the immune system. These fungi, often mistaken for vegetables, pack a punch with nutrients and special comp...
In today's fast-food culture, many people struggle with liver issues. One of the main problems is metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), which often comes from eating too much junk food. This condition is quite common and can be serious. Now, scientists are looking into a protein called IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP). This protein can block the eff...
Winter can be tough on potted plants, especially in areas where temperatures drop below freezing. The main issue is that water in the soil freezes and expands, which can crack pots and damage roots. Plants in the ground have it easier because the surrounding soil acts like a buffer. But potted plants are more exposed, so they need extra care to survive the cold. Not...
Ever wondered how scientists figure out what's in our bodies? It's not as easy as it sounds. They often use a method called metabolomics. This involves looking at tiny amounts of chemicals, or metabolites, in our cells. The problem is, there are lots of unknown metabolites out there. And without a reference, it's hard to identify them. But now, there's a new tool ca...
In the world of medicine, time is often of the essence, especially when it comes to the tiniest patients. Newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) often need swift and accurate diagnoses to guide their treatment. Traditionally, DNA testing has been a slow process, taking days to complete and only used for babies showing specific symptoms. But what if this ...
Meta Platforms, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, has been accused of hiding research that showed its products negatively impact users' mental health. In a legal battle, school districts in the U. S. claim Meta shut down a study called "Project Mercury" after it found that taking a break from these platforms reduced feelings of depression, anxiety, lonelines...