Stress seems to have the same effects on women as consuming a junk food,

A new study conducted by Brigham Young University (BYU) scientists determined that stress may have similar effects to the consumption of junk food. Namely, the research team analyzed the microbiota of mice as they were being exposed either to stress, or fed with junk food.

Stress and Junk Food, Both Just as Bad for the Body and Health

Laura Bridgewater, a microbiology and molecular biology professor at BYU led this latest research. Together with her colleagues, she took a large of both female and male 8 weeks old mice and divided them into two groups.

One of the female and male mice groups were fed a high-fat diet for 16 weeks. After this, all of the rodents, including the control group, were exposed to mild levels of stress for 18 days.

As part of their study, the research team was especially interested to see the microbiota of the mice, and the differences, if any, after the tests. To do so, they extracted microbial DNA both before and after the stress-test and compared the results. Also, the team measured the mice’s anxiety levels.

They were able to do so by registering where and how much the rodents traveled in an open field.

According to a statement from the team, the results revealed “fascinating differences” between genders. For example, male mice that had been fed a high-fat diet presented higher anxiety levels than female ones with the same dietary regime.

Also, research revealed that stress can lead to changes in the mice’s microbiota that resemble its activity when on a high-fat diet. However, this was only noted to happen in female mice.

“Stress can be harmful in a lot of ways, but this research is novel in that it ties stress to female-specific changes in the gut microbiota,” states the study lead.

The researchers point out that even though this test was conducted on animals, it nonetheless has “significant” implications on how people respond as well.

Detailed study findings are available in a paper in the journal Scientific Reports.

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Researchers are working on a smart bandage that can be controlled from the smartphone.

A team of scientists has been working on the prototype of a smart bandage that, with some help from its smartphone controls, might help chronic wounds heal faster. It would do so thanks to its medically coated fibers.

The Smart Bandage and What its Made of

This smart bandage prototype is about the size of a postage stamp. It includes electrically conductive fibers which are coated in a gel that can deliver specific medications, for example, antibiotics. It could also carry painkiller, or tissue-regenerating growth factors, among others.

The prototype and probably the end product as well as being controlled by a wireless device, for example, a smartphone. This can send voltage to one of the bandage’s particular fibers. Then, it hits its gel, which then releases the medicine or painkiller over the wounded area.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln scientists are the developers of this smart bandage prototype. According to them, their invention could, at least initially, be used in treating chronic skin wounds caused by diabetes.

The research team also states that their creation might help deliver more than one medication through a single bandage. It would also be able to offer an exact control over the drug and its delivery schedule. This way, the bandage is also very adaptable and would function based on the type of wound.

“This is the first bandage that is capable of dose-dependent drug release. You can release multiple drugs with different release profiles. That’s a big advantage in comparison with other systems.”

This is according to Ali Tamayol, a University of Nebraska assistant professor of mechanical and materials engineering.

The team points out that its invention is still in prototype mode and that it will take years before it becomes available on the market.

Before it does so, it will also need to pass through animal and human trials. Detailed study findings of the current results are available in the journal Advanced Functional Materials.

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A new study found black tea to be just as effective as green tea in promoting weight loss.

According to a new study, drinking either green or black tea might help influence weight loss as these two beverages could help cut down on excessive fats. They can do so as they contribute to the growth of metabolism-boosting microflora.

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) researchers are behind this new study. This latest research strengthens the results of previous research that noted the beneficial effects of green tea. Thanks to specific chemicals in its componence, polyphenols, this can both absorb and alter the liver’s energy metabolism.

Green and Black Tea, Useful and Safe Weight Loss Beverages?

According to the study results, black tea has a similar influence on the weight thanks to the same chemicals. The researchers noted that the polyphenols contained in this type of tea are too big to be absorbed by the small intestine.

As such, these seem capable of stimulating the growth of the gut bacterium. At the same time, the polyphenols in black tea play a role in the formation of short-chain fatty acids, which are a type of bacterial metabolites. These play a role in the energy metabolism process of the liver.

“Black tea, through a specific mechanism through the gut microbiome, may also contribute to good health and weight loss,” states Susanne Henning, one of the researchers.

The team based its results on their observation of mouse models. These were divided into four groups, with each being fed with different diets.

While one group received a high-sugar and low-fat diet, the remaining got high-sugar, high-fat foods. Two of these three groups also got either a green or a black tea extract, as part of their diet.

Four weeks later, the scientists measured the weight of all the mice in the four groups. They also analyzed samples taken from their liver and intestines. These latter were studied to measure the mice’s bacteria content.

This analysis showed that the mice that also consumed the tea extracts had fewer bacteria associated with obesity in their organism. They also had more bacteria linked to a lean body mass.

According to the researchers, their study showed that black tea is just as effective as green tea in promoting and helping with weight loss.

A paper with the detailed study results is available in the European Journal of Nutrition.

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New study deems dirty laundry as being the preferred traveling choice of bed bugs.

Bed bugs are an irritating pest that feeds on blood and which can cause personal as well as public health issues. Much is already well known on how to find and prevent these pests, but little is known about how they act when there is no human host to feed on.

A new study conducted by researchers part of the University of Sheffield sought to find out what these pests do in the absence of a human being that can “offer” it transportation and food.

Bed Bugs Love Dirty Laundry

For this study, which was released in the journal Scientific Reports, the researchers prepared two identical rooms in which four bags were set up in the presence of bed bugs. Two of these bags contained dirty clothes while the other ones carried clean garments.

For each of the following tests, the scientists also increased the concentration of CO2 in the environment, to simulate human breathing. While the CO2 concentration didn’t affect the results of the study, the authors did note that the bugs were far more likely to cling to clothing that was less than stark.

The authors believe that the bugs were attracted to the human odor carried by the clothing, an idea that is already supported by previous research.

While the study was conducted in experimental rooms and not in real life, the results suggest that these bugs might travel from country to country by hitching a ride in dirty clothes.

Since bed bugs are such a public health issue and can be difficult to get rid of, it’s important to assure that they don’t travel along with the dirty laundry in luggage. Also, as bugs find it difficult to climb metal, dirty laundry can be kept in metal racks or containers when stored in a location that might contain pests.

If such a solution is unavailable, a plastic bag should provide sufficient protection from these nuisances.

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