Health Current Affairs - 2019

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Scientists discover that Resistin is main agent behind high cholesterol levels

Scientists have established a link b/w a protein “Resistin” and high levels of bad cholesterol. The have found that Resistin released by fat tissue causes elevated levels of "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein or LDL), which in turn increases the risk of heart ailments.

What is Resistin?

Resistin is a cysteine-rich protein. It is also known as adipose tissue-specific secretory factor (ADSF) or C/EBP-epsilon-regulated myeloid-specific secreted cysteine-rich protein (XCP1). Resistin was discovered in 2001 by the group of Dr Mitchell A. Lazar from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. It was named "resistin" because it showed resistance to insulin when it was injected in mice.

How Resistin affects cholesterol levels?

As per the research, resistin increases the production of LDL in liver cells and also degrades LDL receptors in the liver. Due to this, the liver is less able to remove "bad" cholesterol from the body. Resistin speeds up the accumulation of LDL in arteries thus increases the risk of heart disease.

It was also found that resistin adversely impacts the effects of statins, the main cholesterol-reducing drug used in the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease.

How high cholesterol level in blood becomes problematic?

High blood cholesterol leads to a buildup of plaque around the artery walls and narrowing of the arteries, developing into a condition called atherosclerosis, which can make it more difficult for blood to flow through the heart and body.

Month: Categories: Science & Technology


New Disease detection technique with naked eyes

Scientists have developed a new ultra-sensitive sensor test which is also 10 times cheaper to detect the early stages of several cancers and viruses, including HIV, with the naked eye.

What is the technique?

The new visual sensor technology detects biomarkers which are produced in the body when it is infected with certain disease.  The sensor works by analyzing serum, derived from blood, in a disposable container. The color of the liquid changes to give either a positive or negative result. This change in color can be easily seen with naked eyes.

How it can help?

The test is 10 times cheaper that existing gold standard tests. It can detect onset of diseases like certain cancers and HIV in early stages.

Month: Categories: Science & Technology