How gene shaped human face

Researchers from KU Leuven (Belgium) and the universities of Pittsburgh, Stanford, and Penn State (US) have identified fifteen genes that determine human facial features. Human DNA determines what an individual look like, including facial features. That appeals to the popular imagination, as the potential applications are obvious. Doctors could use DNA for skull and facial reconstructive surgery, forensic examiners could sketch a perpetrator's face on the basis of DNA retrieved from a crime scene, and historians would be able to reconstruct facial features using DNA from days long gone.

In a new study conducted by KU Leuven in collaboration with the universities of Pittsburgh, Stanford and Penn State, the researchers adopted a different approach. "Our search doesn't focus on specific traits," lead author Peter Claes (KU Leuven) explains. "My colleagues from Pittsburgh and Penn State each provided a database with 3D images of faces and the corresponding DNA of these people. Each face was automatically subdivided into smaller modules. Next, we examined whether any locations in the DNA matched these modules. This modular division technique made it possible for the first time to check for an unprecedented number of facial features."

The scientists were able to identify fifteen locations in human DNA. The Stanford team found out that genomic loci linked to these modular facial features are active when human face develops in the womb. "Furthermore, we also discovered that different genetic variants identified in the study are associated with regions of the genome that influence when, where and how much genes are expressed," says Joanna Wysocka (Stanford). Seven of the fifteen identified genes are linked to the nose, and that's good news, Peter Claes (KU Leuven) continues. "

A skull doesn't contain any traces of the nose, which only consists of soft tissue and cartilage. Therefore, when forensic scientists want to reconstruct a face on the basis of a skull, the nose is the main obstacle. If the skull also yields DNA, it would become much easier to determine the shape of the nose. Age, environment, and lifestyle have an impact on what human face looks like, this could provide genetic insight into the shape and functioning of human brain, as well as in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's."
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Exposing children to germs strengthen their immune systems

All germs are not bad, some germs stimulate immune system and strength them to fight diseases. Exposing children to clean environment only can leads to severely hyper sensitised immune system making the children vulnerable to allergies and neurodevelopmental problems.

Early exposure to germs strengthen immune system and teaches it how to control its reaction to daily germs present in the atmosphere. Scientists believe that without exposure to dirt and germs early in life, the immune system will not be able control its reaction to everyday invaders like dust.

According to researchers, pre- and postnatal pet exposure enriched the amount of two types of bacteria- Ruminococcus and Oscillospira that reduce allergies and obesity in children.

Giving children fermented foods like miso and natto also exposed them to bacteria, microflora in fermented foods produce a protective lining in their intestines and strengthen it against salmonella and E.coli.
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Triclosan causes antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobial resistance AMR is the ability of a microorganism like bacteria, to prevents an antimicrobial like
antibiotics and antiviral from working against it. This prevents standard treatment and infections may continue to spread.

Triclosan is an ingredient added to many consumer products like soap and toothpaste to reduce or prevent bacteria. Bacteria like E. coli has become more resistant to triclosan.

Triclosan is found in domestic products for cleaning. The link between quinolone and triclosan resistance is important as triclosan has become common in the environment and human tissues.

Quinolone resistance mutation changed how bacteria arrange their DNA in a cell and these mutants had also turned on various self-defence mechanisms.

Using of bleach, soap and water after disinfectants may be more effective because some of the antimicrobial ingredients for disinfectants are gathered in the environment where they are altering ecosystems and promoting selection of antibiotic resistant bacteria.
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How cancer spreads

A research study led by University of Minnesota engineers gives new method of how cancer cells move based on their ability to sense their environment.

The researchers discovered that cells have the ability to sense the stiffness of their environment and their ability to move is depend on their environment ranging from bone tissue to fatty tissue and muscle tissue.

Researchers compared cells from human brain cancer to mobile but normal cells from embryonic chick brains. They did five different experiments that included environments with six different stiffnesses.

The researchers slowed the cancer cells down in a petri dish in the lab by following the predictions of their computer models, which were based on an understanding the mechanics of the cancer cell movement.

Cells are like cars, they have motors that generate force, and a clutch to transfer that force to structures that grip the tissue along which they move. When the environment is good like a paved road, they can move into higher gear, with the engine spinning faster and the clutch transferring more force to the parts that, like wheels, get more grip.

They discovered that the combination of the two drugs they tested inhibit the motor and clutch functions of cancer cells and therefore hindered their movement.

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