2011 in biomedicine: top-10 according to New Scientist
Starting from the unique laryngeal transplantation and ending with the mitigation of the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease with the help of deep electrical stimulation of the brain, the past year has been very successful, and sometimes quite unexpected for the biomedical industry. Is it possible to forget the discovery of a method for relieving the symptoms of Parkinson's disease by injecting fecal masses of healthy donors into the patient's intestines? There were also publications about pills that can prevent the development of cancer; a warning that five simple transformations can lead to a pandemic of a potentially lethal influenza virus; and even that an orgasm inside a scanner for functional magnetic resonance imaging allows you to reveal the secrets of consciousness. The following are the 10 most impressive publications of 2011, selected by the editors of New Scientist magazine.
Unprecedented laryngeal transplantation restored the woman's ability to talk
The combined transplantation of the larynx, thyroid gland and trachea performed for the first time in the world has restored the ability to speak to a woman who lost her 11 years ago as a result of complications after the operation.
Daily intake of aspirin reduces the risk of rectal cancer
Constant intake of aspirin significantly reduces the risk of developing rectal cancer in people with a hereditary predisposition to this disease.
Sex and the brain: Orgasm reveals the secrets of an altered state of consciousness
A fearless employee of New Scientist experiences an orgasm inside a scanner for functional magnetic resonance imaging to study the mechanisms of the formation of sensations of pleasure and pain.
Fecal mass transplantation relieves the symptoms of Parkinson's disease
Diabetes, obesity and even Parkinson's disease can be cured by replacing the bacteria that live in the intestine.
Stress-tagged Genes May Lead to Mental Illness in Grandchildren
Epigenetic changes, namely the methylation of certain genes caused by severe stress, including lack of parental care and malnutrition, can increase the predisposition to schizophrenia and depression after two generations.
Algae genes allowed blind mice to see
The restoration of vision in the future will be possible with the help of therapy consisting in the transplantation of the gene of the photosensitive protein of algae into the cells of the eye.
Five simple mutations can lead to a pandemic of a lethal strain of influenza
The results of the study showed that a series of simple mutations can lead to the appearance of a lethal form of H5N1 influenza, the so-called "bird flu", which can be transmitted from person to person.
Viable spermatozoa grown in the laboratory for the first time
Scientists have managed to grow viable mouse spermatozoa outside the seminal glands for the first time. If the developed method proves to be effective when working with human cells, its introduction into clinical practice may mean the possibility of therapy for many causes of male infertility.
Anti-fever mosquitoes released into the wild in Australia
In the Australian province of Queensland, about 300,000 mosquitoes infected with bacteria that limit their ability to spread tropical fever have been released into the wild.
Manifestations of Alzheimer's disease disappear after deep electrical stimulation of the brain
In some cases, the reduction in brain size in patients with Alzheimer's disease can be restored by exposing the degenerating tissue to electrical impulses.
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on New Scientist – 2011 review: The year in health science.
30.12.2011