According to the eminent Journal Nature Neuroscience
new genes associated with the human brain volume
have just been discovered. [BACKGROUND MUSIC]
The research had the participation
of the research psychiatry group
of the Cantabria University, IDIVAL CIBERSAM
Biomedical Research Centre in Mental health Network
led by Benedicto Crespo-Facorro
identifying five new locations of the genome
and confirming two more, previously described
associated with the intracranial volume.
To conduct the survey
over 30 thousand samples of adults were tested
in a association analysis of the complete genome
in population of different international research consortia.
In particular, scientists have analysed the genetic bases
defining the brain size
in the first stages of development,
suggesting that effectively,
its size controls the childhood cognitive development
and the protection against degenerative-cognitive diseases
in adulthood.
The research could explain cognitive ability differences
and certain diseases' development
as neurodegenerative disorders on the basis of that size.
Hunger and undernourishment persist as problems
affecting over 800 million people,
particularly in developing countries.
A recent study is trying to find out
the impact of the economic growth
by reducing undernourishment in developing countries.
The work carried out
in the Centre of Management
of Agricultural and Environmental Risks.
In order to answer these questions
various econometric analysis were undertaken
using as source the World Bank's Development Indicators database.
The study results conclude
that it is necessary almost two years of annual growth income
to improve undernourishment.
As economic growth is sustainable over time,
its impact in reducing undernourishment improves,
so that the positive impact on sustained economic growth,
within a three to eight years time horizon,
will higher than that detected
in the short term.
In autumn, as usual, Regional Healthcare Networks
activate their flu vaccination campaigns.
The vaccine is mainly addressed
to over 65 and population groups at risk
- people with diabetes or chronic diseases,
pregnant women, health professionals,
or people with diseases of the respiratory tract - among others.
The problem with the vaccine
is the fast yearly virus mutation
therefore we have to reinoculate.
For that, an international team of scientists
with the University Complutense of Madrid,
have developed two universal flu virus vaccines.
Inoculations,
that at the moment have not been clinically tested
are based on small virus fragments
acknowledged by the immune system,
which could reach over 90% protection.
Formulations to develop the vaccines
focus on the epitopes T,
to say, small virus fragments
recognized by essential lymphocytes
in the suppression and removal of viral infections.
The work has been published in Bioinformatics.
For Madri+d and UNED Television, José Antonio López Guerrero.