Age & Memory Loss: Analyzing and Understanding the Relation

Our memory weakens as we progress and that’s natural 

Aging is inevitable at least in today’s world and so is memory wearying.

Memory loss might become a norm as we get older. Recalling a name, forming new memories, finding keys or valuables, explaining to someone the details of an incident that happened in the past, could leave us high and dry year on year. But ever wondered why do human beings start losing connections with aging? To understand the issue, we first have to get acquainted with the science behind memory: 

How do we memorize things?

Figure 1: Neurons and their connection 

 

In the process of learning something new, as simple as remembering the name of someone or something, our brain creates a new connection between neurons. Neurons connect at synapses, where a neuron communicates with another neuron using chemical messengers. Our brain consists of billions of neurons where a single neuron can have thousands of connections with neighboring neurons. What changes does age bring to our brain?

Figure 2: Some Parts of Human Brain

 Studies have witnessed neuron shrinkage and retracting of dendrites inside the aging brain. As a result, the number of connections between the neurons also gets affected, leading to memory loss and difficulty in learning new things. Aging also leads to a reduction of the overall volume of our brain and other structural changes in our brain as well. Some parts of our brain viz. prefrontal cortex (behavior and cognitive ability), hippocampus (learning and memory), and cerebellum (posture, balance, coordination, and speech) bear more brunt than rest.

Other Factors Leading to Poor Memory.

Figure 3: COSMAA/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS, ADAPTED BY E. OTWELL

 As we grow older, we tend to be less energetic with little or no physical activities. Studies have shown that exercising, especially aerobic exercises (running, swimming, jogging, etc.), has a positive impact on the working of the hippocampus (areas of the brain involved in memory and learning) and helps in the reduction of much more age-related illnesses. 

The absence of physical activity undeniably attracts physical, mental, and psychological challenges in elderly life. Adding to this, we may face sleep disorders such as insomnia, low quality sleep, frequent wake-ups, etc. which not only affects our memory but also brings many more ailments like hyper/hypotension, obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, etc. 

 Moreover, the elderly are less likely to engage in a mentally challenging activity. Studies have shown that mentally challenging activities are likely to improve cognitive functioning. If we don’t engage in a more demanding job, we are directing our brain to work on the same old pattern which may make our brain slow as working on the same old network making it less responsive.

Figure 4: Healthy food is important for brain functioning

 Besides that, our brain demands a healthy diet for proper functioning. Lack of a balanced diet will result in erroneous brain functioning. Omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish) are said to help fight against depression, anxiety, Alzheimer’s disease and enhance brain development. Alongside, it may benefit from eye disorders, heart attacks, and stroke.

 Another important constituent in brain working is Vitamin B-12 found in fish, meat, egg, and dairy product. The deficiency of B-12 is associated with depression & brain fog which eventually leads to poor memory. 

 So, we discussed some factors affecting memory while we tend to age. We may find a cure to aging in the future with new technology and scientific advancements, but aging is inevitable at least in today’s world and so is memory wearying. Our memory weakens as we progress and that’s natural. But what adds to it is our way of life and our unsuitable lifestyle. With few basic changes, we may slow down the progression of mental weakening to live a healthier and happier life.

Our Brain Uses Two Parts to Predict Upcoming Events

Brain Games: New study suggests, anticipatory timing is result of two different systems

Researchers find we anticipate time in two different clocks

Ever wondered what makes us anticipate a situation before it happens, for example accelerating a sec before traffic light changes or next words coming at you from your boss. A new study suggests that anticipation of an event is calculated in two different parts of human brain according to the findings published online in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences or PNAS on 13^th November.

There are two type of anticipatory timings, one that’s associated to our past experiences and other that is based on the rhythmic occurrence of an event or recognition of rhythmic pattern, concludes researchers at University of California, Berkeley.

Assaf Breska, lead author of the Study also a postdoctoral researcher in neuroscience, UC Berkeley says, “Whether its speech, sports, music or even allocating attention, our study suggests that timing is not a unified process, but that there are two different ways in which we make temporal predictions and these depend upon different part of brain.”

Our brain relies on temporal regularities to anticipate the timing of upcoming events, and fine-tunes action and attention accordingly, signifies the study. Senior author of the study Richard Ivry shares, “Together, these brain systems allow us not just to exist in the moment, but to also actively anticipate the future.”

Effect of Parkinson's diseases on brain

Investigators studied the anticipatory timing of people suffering from Parkinson’s diseases and people with cerebellar degeneration. Although both medical issues affect different regions of brain, but both gives rise to same problem of coordination and balance in subject. In Parkinson’s diseases, neural pathways in basal ganglia, a region inside cerebral cortex, gets affected while cerebellar degeneration impacts upon nerve cells in the cerebellum.

Researchers studied the pattern of timing or ‘temporal’ cues used by patients with both diseases while responding to different tests. The group of patients were viewed sequence of squares flashing on computer screen in steady rhythmic pattern and in more complex non-rhythmic intervals pattern. Patients suffered from Parkinson’s diseases responded well to non-rhythmic temporal cues, while patients with cerebellar degeneration performed better on rhythmic pattern.

“We show that patient with basal ganglia degeneration associated with Parkinson’s disease are impaired in using rhythmic cues while patients with cerebellar degeneration are impaired in using non-rhythmic temporal cues” says Ivry.

This study shows the reliance of our brain on two different mechanisms for anticipation of an event, researchers said while adding that this result challenges the theory of anticipatory timing handled by single brain system.

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“A rhythm based system is sensitive to periodic events such as is inherent in speech and music, and an interval system provides a more general anticipatory ability, sensitive to temporal regularities even in the absence of a rhythmic signal. Our results suggest at least two different ways in which the brain has evolved to anticipate the future.” said Breska.

The study suggests that in case one of the system fails, our brain may rely on other one for anticipatory timing, adds researchers. Brain training computer games, smartphone apps, environment design modifications and deep brain stimulation can assist people with neurological timing deficit, investigators speculates.

Citation and Sources:              

Assaf Breska and Richard Ivry et al. Double dissociation of single-interval and rhythmic temporal prediction in cerebellar degeneration and Parkinson’s diseases, November, 2018 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1810596115

With New Approach, Next Gen. Batteries are on Their Way to Reality

Three-dimensional cross linked polymer sponge applied on anode
Credit: Nature Energy 

Researchers with spongy scheme open doors for future Li- metal batteries

Researchers at Penn State Institutes of Energy and Environment affirms that long lasting batteries, with fast charge and safe Li-metal may be possible according to the research published dated 12^th Nov. in Nature Energy.

“This project aims to develop the next generation of metal batteries”, says Professor Donghai Wang about the project. “Lithium metal has been tried in batteries for decades, but there are some vital issues that constrains their advancements.”

Dendrite growth on Li-metal upon charging

Principal concern pertaining Li-metal batteries, is the growth of dendrites – needles like creation – on metal surface under strains of fast charging. This weakens cycle life of battery and also accounts for faster battery drain. It can also result in fires and explosion, compromising safety of user.

Researchers using new method, developed a three dimensional cross-linked polymer sponge that is capable of sticking to metal plating of anode in battery. The material acting as porous sponge, not only endorses ion transfer but also impedes deterioration of battery.

“Our approach was to use a polymer on the interface of Lithium metal. This allowed the metal free of dendrites, even at low temperature and fast charge conditions” explains Wang about the new method.

 This research was product of efforts made by investigators from different disciplines belonging to Penn State Institute of Energy and Environment or IEE and Battery Energy and Storage Technology or BEST Centre as next gen batteries is an important aspect of their mission.

“The collaboration in this cohort really helped us helped us drive this paper forward” indicates Wang. “It allowed us to examine the different aspects of this problem from material science, chemical engineering, chemistry and mechanical engineering.”

The Department of Material Science and Engineering group headed by Long Quin Chen, led a modeling work to comprehend the working and improvement in working of Li-metal anodes. In practical, this work can result in more powerful and stable metal batteries with improved battery life for everyday usage, according to researchers.

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“In an electric vehicle, it could increase the range of a drive before needing a charge by hundreds of miles. It could also give smartphone an additional battery life.” Says Wang.

Talking about the future of newly researched tech, the team will put this into practical applications in a large-format battery cell, exploring its advantages and viability. “We want to push these technologies forward. With this work, I’m positive new can double the life cycles of these Li-metal batteries” share Wang.

Citations: Guoxing Li et al, Stable metal battery anodes enabled by polyethylenimine sponge hosts by way of electrokinetic effects, Nature Energy (2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41560-018-0276-z

Converting Human Waste to Hydrogen Energy, Purple Bacteria Plays Protagonist

Wastes Matters: New Method can Turn Wastewater Treatment Plant into Energy Generator

This New Method can Turn Wastewater Treatment Plant into Energy Generator

A new study from Spain suggests human waste can be transformed into clean energy — scientists have worked upon a type of bacteria (purple) that can change waste into hydrogen gas for energy fabrication. The amount of waste human generates today is thrice of what we generated in 1960. That's equally horrific to the fact that the United States is rewarded as the highest amount of waste generator per person.

 A substantial disadvantage of wastewater treatment plants is their carbon footprint.This new method can lead to be a game changer in the waste management industry, turning everyday human waste into clean source of fuel.

This new method uses electrical currents and purple bacteria to take advantage of the organic materials we flush every day. Purple bacteria belongs to most diverse group of bacteria and they are phototropic means they use photosynthesis,  but unlike plants and algae, their source of metabolism is infrared light, in contrast with the visible light that green plants require.

 "The main feature of these fascinating organisms is their versatile metabolism," says lead author of the study, Daniel Puyol of Spain’s King Juan Carlos University, in an interview with ReserachGate.

Purple bacteria upon manipulation of temperature, light intensity, and the surrounding organics and nutrients, yields different results that acted as the foundations of Puyol’s team research. They decided to supplement an external electric current and this idea originated from the bioelectrochemical system of purple bacteria.

Purple Bacteria
Credit: Wikimedia

“All living beings have to maintain an equilibrium, which microbiologists and biotechnologists call homeostasis” says Puyol when asked about production of hydrogen. “Purple bacteria has the problem of excess electrons from their metabolism. One way of releasing this excess is through carbon dioxide fixation, like plants do. The other one is the release of electrons as hydrogen gas.”

"Waste composition plays a key role on the ability of purple bacteria to produce hydrogen," Puyol says. "The process is strongly inhibited in the presence of ammonium, which mainly comes from proteins in waste. We have to be completely sure that the ammonium is eliminated prior to the process, so a diet low in proteins would potentially help to produce more hydrogen more easily. 

"This demonstrates that purple bacteria can be used to recover valuable biofuel from organics typically found in wastewater - malic acid and sodium glutamate - with a low carbon footprint," say co-author of the study Abraham Esteve-Núñez of University of Alcalá, Spain.

Puyol sees a future with the resultant bio-fuel where his team could change the wastewater treatment plant into a real bio refinery. He guesses that a medium-size wastewater treatment plant using hydrogen gas manufactured by this process could "theoretically yield energy for 43-107 houses."

“Our preliminary findings indicate that we are able to tune the metabolism of purple phototrophic bacteria to increase carbon dioxide fixation, while maintaining the same hydrogen productivity. This essentially means zero carbon footprint. We have recently obtained funding to design the process and patent the technology” informs Puyol about team’s findings.

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“With the technology demonstrated at lab-scale, we will try to convince the water sector about the feasibility of our technology. We have close contact with some water companies that would be interested.” speaks Puyol about its practical applications.

"We are trying to do what nature has been being doing for millions of years. Nature, in its wisdom, has selected photosynthesis as a mechanism for these transformations. We are only accelerating them."

Source: Researchgate.com

HIV Detection Made Easy

Handy Tech: Cellphone based tool detects HIV1 within an hour

Researchers create mobile diagnostic gadget based on nanotechnology and cellphone

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, successfully designed a cellphone based tool that can test, monitor and detect HIV viruses, making it a boon for individuals dwelling in regions with limited resources and less access to hospitals. This newly created technology based on cellphone and nanotechnology comes with advantages of being handy and affordable at the same time, according to the paper published in Nature Communications on 16^th October, 2018.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV is traditionally tested and monitored using an expensive method that involves Polymeric Chain Reaction or PCR. Investigators have developed this new technique to make HIV test and monitoring possible for individuals with handful of sources and incomplete medical care, especially residents of developing countries.

"Early detection of HIV is significant to prevent disease progress and transmission. It requires long-term monitoring, which can be a encumbrance for families that have to travel to reach a clinic or hospital. This rapid and low-cost cellphone system signifies a new method for detecting serious infection, which would condense the risk of virus transmission and could also be used to spot early treatment failure." said senior author of the research Dr. Hadi Shafiee, a principal examiner, Division of Engineering in Medicine and Renal Division of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

CALM system motion measurement
Credit: Nature Communications

The device utilizes cellphone-based optical sensing, a DNA-modified micrometer crafted using nanotechnology and 3D printed phone attachments, collectively known as CALM system, with the ability to detect the virus’ RNA nucleic acids from a single blood drop. It detects the amplified nucleic acid of HIV1 using cellphone system on-chip that measures and monitors the motion of DNA engineered micro-motors without the aid of expensive or bulky equipment.

Researches managed to get the results within an hour using the cellphone based platform and qualitative detection of HIV was made with precision of 99.1% specificity and 94.6% sensitivity at a clinically relevant threshold value of 1000 virus particles per ml. It is interesting to note that the total material cost of the whole system was less than 5$ per test. The cellphone system has the capability to be developed as an inexpensive diagnostic tool for virus and other infectious diseases.

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Talking about the application of their newly created device Hadi says, “Health workers in emerging countries could easily use these devices when they travel to perform HIV testing and monitoring. Because the test is so fast, critical decisions about the next therapeutic step could be made right there. This would eradicate the burden of trips to the medical clinic and provide individuals with a more effectual means for treating their HIV."

"We could use this similar technology as a swift and economical diagnostic tool for other viruses and bacteria as well. This platform could help a lot of people worldwide", speaks lead author Dr.  Mohamed Shehata Draz also an instructor in the Renal Division of Medicine and Division of Engineering in Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

Citation and Source: Mohamed Shehata Draz, Hadi Shafiee et. al DNA engineered micromotors powered by metal nanoparticles for motion based cellphone diagnostics. Nature Communications, 2018; 9 (1) DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06727-8

Four Fundamental Units are set to receive an Upgrade

Replica of International Protoype of Kilogram
Source: Wikimedia

Definition of four base units will be revised at 26^th CGPM

Four of the fundamental units are about to change, according to the announcement made by officials of CGPM or General Conference on Weight and Measures, at its 26^th meet scheduled to held on a stretch of 13^th-16^th November, 2018. All these units are proposed to be defined by natural constant properties or fundamental physical constants such as speed of light and Planck constant, upgrading previously acknowledged definitions of all four base units. New definition will take into consideration after May, 2019.

Ampere – Unit of Current, Kelvin – Unit of Temperature, Kilogram – Unit of Mass and Mole – Amount of Substance, are four fundamental units under radar to get an upgrade.

At present, mass of one kilogram is defined by an object, a solid cylindrical shaped block composed of 90% Platinum and 10% Iridium conserved in a bell jar in Paris, France also call IPK or International Prototype of Kilogram. Serving as a calibration tool, IPK has to be compared with its official copies, in an interval of almost 40 years.

So why there’s need to change the trend? IPK has a limitation – its weight isn’t constant. Since it has served as an international standard for more than a century, there’s a slight increase in its weight over a period of time, thanks to the surface contamination. This serious limitation affects various scientific assumptions that are based on mass of one kilogram, introducing uncertainty in the results. Interestingly, it is the only unit in the metric system that is still based on a physical object or an artefact.

Kibble Balance, used to measure the Plank Constant in term of IPK
Source: Wikimedia

But now, IPK is going to become a matter of past, according to CGPM officials as it’s ‘days are numbered’. 60 members of CGPM are reported to vote in favor of defining kilogram indirectly – using Planck constant. Kibble Balance will assist as the tool to define new base unit.

Other units under scrutiny are ampere, mole and kelvin. Currently ampere is defined as the constant current which produces a certain amount of force, when maintained in two infinite straight conductors of negligible cross-section, placed one meter apart in vacuum. It’s impossible to create wires of infinite length with negligible circular cross-section, making it unachievable to define one ampere practically. Proposed definition of ampere is to define it by taking a fixed numerical value of elementary charge or electrical charge carried by a proton or electron. This will aid scientist to measure one ampere precisely.

Similarly definitions of Kelvin and mole are proposed to be redefined by changing them into a fixed numerical value of Boltzmann constant and Avogadro constant respectively. Presently Kelvin is defined as 1/273.16 of the temperature of triple point of water – point where water exists in its all three phases. According to current definition of mole, it is no. of elementary entities as there are atoms present in 0.012 kg of C-12.

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Stable basis of measurement and development of measuring devices with high precision are some reason that has driven this changeover. This change will go unnoticed or merely understood by most of the people, acknowledge several metrologists involved in bringing this change.

Metric system have been part of International System of Units, first introduced in France in 1799. Technical limitations resulted in proposal of artefacts (IPK and IPM etc.) as standards. Several efforts were made in past to make these fundamental units more precise and eliminate these artefacts. In 1960, for example, meter was redefined and expressed in terms of wavelength of light from a specific source which was previously measured in terms of prototype IPM and in 1983, speed of light was updated to 299,792,458 meters per second.

Citations and Source: 26th meeting of the CGPM: 13-16 November, 2018: 
www.bipm.org/en/cgpm-2018/ 

List of Best Laptops under Rs 30000 in 2018

Last Updated: 08 Feb, 2019

Best laptops under 30000 in 2018

Laptops under Rs 30,000 price point are suitable for mild tasking such as reading, writing, web browsing music and video playing etc. Here we are presenting some major nominees in the list of best laptops under Rs 30,000 featuring 6th or 7th Gen. core i3 processor and 1 TB HDD and 4 GB RAM. If you are looking for additional features, also having good money in your pocket, spare bit minutes to peek at the List of Best Laptops under Rs 40000. Now let’s take a look:

Acer Aspire 3 A315-51z

Acer Aspire 3 A315-51z

Display: 15.6 inches LED HD (1366 x 768p)

RAM: 4GB DDR3

Processor: 2.7 GHz Intel Core i3 7130U (7^th gen)

Graphic Coprocessor: Intel Integrated HD 620

OS: Windows 10

Storage: 1TB @ 5400 RPM

Cache: 3MB

Disk Drive: CD/DVD writer

Dimensions: 37.4 x 25.8 x 2.4 cm

Weight: 220 gm

Ratings: 9.5/10

Best Buy* @ INR 27,590 (Windows 10 OS)

Asus F541UA-XO2231T

Asus F541UA-XO2231T

Display: 15.6 inches LED HD (1366 x 768p)

RAM: 4GB DDR4

Processor: 2.3 GHz Intel Core i3 6100U (6^th gen)

Graphic Coprocessor: Intel Integrated HD 520

OS: Windows 10

Storage: 1TB @ 5400 RPM

Cache: 3MB

Disk Drive: CD/DVD writer

Dimensions: 38.1 x 25.2 x 2.7 cm

Weight: 200 gm

Ratings: 9.5/10

Best Buy* @ INR 26,990 (DOS)

Dell Inspiron 14 3000 3467

Dell Inspiron 14 3000 3467

Display: 14 inches LED HD (1366 x 768p)

RAM: 4GB DDR4 @ 2400 MHz

Processor: 2.3 GHz Intel Core i3 7020U (7^th gen)

Graphic Coprocessor: Intel Integrated HD 620

OS: Linux/Ubuntu

Storage: 1TB @ 5400 RPM

Cache: 3MB

Disk Drive: CD/DVD writer

Weight: 195 gm

Ratings: 9/10

Best Buy* @ INR 26,490 (Linux/Ubuntu OS)

HP 15Q-BU024TU

HP 15Q-BU024TU

Display: 15.6 inches LED HD (1366 x 768p)

RAM: 4GB DDR4 @ 2133 MHz

Processor: 2.3 GHz Intel Core i3 7020U (7^th gen)

Graphic Coprocessor: Intel Integrated HD 620

OS: DOS

Storage: 1TB @ 5400 RPM

Cache: 3MB

Disk Drive: CD/DVD writer

Dimensions: 38.0 x 25.3 x 2.3 cm

Weight: 186 gm

Ratings: 9/10

Best Buy* @ INR 26,490 (DOS)

HP 14Q-CS0009TU

HP 14Q-CS0009TU

Display: 15.6 inches LED HD (1366 x 768p)

RAM: 4GB DDR3 @ 2133 MHz

Processor: 2.3 GHz Intel Core i3 7020U (7^th gen)

Graphic Coprocessor: Intel Integrated HD 620

OS: DOS/Windows 10

Storage: 1TB @ 5400 RPM

Cache: 3MB

Disk Drive: N/A

Dimensions: 33.5 x 23.4 x 1.9 cm

Weight: 147 gm

Ratings: 9/10

Best Buy* @ INR 26,490 (DOS) | INR 28,990 (Windows 10 OS)

Lenovo Ideapad 320-15ISK

Lenovo Ideapad 320-15ISK

Display: 15.6 inches LED HD (1366 x 768p)

RAM: 4GB DDR4 @ 2133 MHz

Processor: 2.3 GHz Intel Core i3 6006U (6^th gen)

Graphic Coprocessor: Intel Integrated HD 520

OS: DOS

Storage: 1TB @ 5400 RPM

Cache: 3MB

Disk Drive: N/A

Dimensions: 37.8 x 26.0 x 2.2 cm

Weight: 220 gm

Ratings: 9/10

Best Buy* @ INR 25,490 (DOS)

So we are done with our list. Type in your view in the comment box.

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*Prices are subject to change.