Scientists building human brain using supercomputer
LONDON: Scientists say they are building a ” human brain”, using the worlds most powerful supercomputer that will simulate the entire mind and thus help fight against brain disea
ses like Alzheimers. The ” brain” is intended to combine all the information so far uncovered about its mysterious workings – and replicate them on a screen, right down to the level of individual cells and molecules, says an international team behind the project. The scientists hope to complete it within 12 years. If it works it could be revolutionary for understanding devastating neurological diseases, such as Alzheimers and Parkinsons, and even shedding light into how we think, and make decisions, the alt39 Daily Mailalt39 reported. Switzerland- based Henry Markram, who is leading the team which include UK- based Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, said: ” The complexity of brain, with its billions of interconnected neurons, makes it hard for neuroscientists to truly understand how it works.
Simulating it will make it much easier, allowing them to manipulate and measure any aspect of the brain.” Blood type A may make us more vulnerable to some stomach infections LONDON: Your blood type may determine whether you become infected by some strains of rotavirus, according to a new study, including an Indian origin scientist.
Some strains of rotavirus find their way into the cells of the gastrointestinal tract by recognising antigens associated with the type A blood group, a finding that represents a new paradigm in understanding how this gut pathogen infects humans, said Baylor College of Medicine researchers.
Rotavirus is a major intestinal pathogen that is the leading cause of severe dehydration and diarrhoea in infants around the world. An estimated 500,000 people worldwide die from the infection annually.
Prostate disorder proteins discovered WASHINGTON: Scientists have discovered a combination of proteins involved in prostate disorders, a key finding which they claim could pave the way for effective and better treatments. An international team, led by the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research and the University of Western Australia, has identified the alt39 G protein- coupled receptorsalt39, a family of ” receptors” that enable cells to respond to hormones and eurotransmitters. These are extremely important in treating disease and are the target of up to 50 per cent of all therapeutic drugs. Prof Kevin Pfleger, who led the team, said G protein- coupled receptors were very important proteins on the outside of cells that enabled signals from hormones and neuro- transmitters to be transferred into the cell. ” Scientists now realise that these receptors do not work in isolation, but in particular combinations, which they call alt39 heteromersalt39. It is suggested that a number of side effects from drugs may result from not fully understanding which combinations form and what happens when they do,” he said.
