Posts

Why is there no vaccines for HIV - yet.....

-
Image
Hi Folks!! Follow our blog on  Instagram . BECAUSE IT IS SHAPE-SHIFTING Most vaccines induce our body to make antibodies to fight different pathogens, but HIV disguises itself so that  even if we make antibodies, the virus changes to escape them.  Early vaccine candidates targeted the envelope protein that encapsulates the virus genome. When we found that antibodies against the envelope protein didn't work, then we thought, maybe we could target different parts of the virus that induce T cells, which kill infected cells. However because the virus integrates itself into the host genome, the T cells didn't recognize the viruses as separate from hosts.  LIMITATIONS OF CURRENT TECHNOLOGY Because the virus itself integrates into host DNA, it limits the vaccine platforms we can use. We traditionally have used live attenuated vaccines for different viral diseases like measles, mumps, and rubella, but we can't use that for HIV because of the concern that live attenuated virus could
Post a Comment
Read more

Proxima Centauri b: A Super-Earth Neighbor and the Quest for Habitability

-
Image
Hi Folks!! Follow our blog on Instagram  LAB IN THE BOX Proxima Centauri b: A Super-Earth Neighbor and the Quest for Habitability Proxima Centauri b, orbiting the star Proxima Centauri, stands as one of the most intriguing exoplanetary discoveries of recent times. Its proximity to Earth, a mere four light-years away, positions it as a prime candidate for further investigation into the possibility of life beyond our solar system. The planet, discovered in 2016, is categorized as a **super-Earth**, meaning it is slightly more massive than our home planet—about 1.27 times Earth's mass. However, the challenges to its habitability are as fascinating as its proximity. Orbital Characteristics and Proximity to Proxima Centauri Proxima b orbits Proxima Centauri , a red dwarf star of the M-type, much smaller and cooler than our Sun. Despite this, Proxima b is extremely close to its star, orbiting at just **0.0485 AU** (around 7.25 million kilometers)—a fraction of the Earth-Sun distance. It
Post a Comment
Read more

Honeybee venom - An Anti-cancerous Agent

-
Image
Hi Folks!! Follow our blog on  Instagram In 2020, Perkins researchers uncovered that honeybee venom could kill breast cancer cells while leaving normal healthy cells unaffected. This remarkable discovery showed that a specific concentration of honeybee venom can completely destroy cancer cell membranes within 60 minutes and induce 100% cancer cell death with minimal effect on normal cells. The researchers went on to synthesize a key component in honeybee venom, called Melittin , to continue their studies without impacting the honeybee populations. Currently, Dr. Edina Wang has enthusiastically taken on this project, striving to improve the melittin compound and make it more effective by the addition of components that will enhance the way it recognizes and targets cancer cells.   Dr. Edina Wang has also begun testing the targeted melittin on ovarian cancer cells and found that they are extremely effective with a six-fold improvement in anti-cancer outcomes over the melittin alone.   Th
Post a Comment
Read more

The Potential and Ethical Implications of 5D Memory Crystals in Long-term Genetic Preservation and Human Revival

-
Image
The Potential and Ethical Implications of 5D Memory Crystals in Long-term Genetic Preservation and Human Revival Scientists at the University of Southampton have stored the entire human genome on a 5D memory crystal, which could potentially revive humanity long after extinction. The crystal, created by the university’s Optoelectronics Research Centre, uses advanced laser technology to inscribe data in five dimensions, making it one of the most durable storage formats capable of surviving billions of years. This crystal, equivalent to fused quartz, can withstand extreme forces, temperatures, and cosmic radiation. Professor Peter Kazansky, who led the research, explained that the 5D crystal could preserve genetic information of endangered species, providing a "blueprint" for future restoration if technological advancements allow. The crystal has been stored in the Memory of Mankind archive, a time capsule in Hallstatt, Austria. Currently, it is not possible to create complex or
Post a Comment
Read more