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Welcome to Science Sphere, where science comes to life!

We believe that science is more than just a subject to study; it is a way of thinking, exploring, and understanding our world. We are passionate about bringing you the latest breakthroughs, innovations, and discoveries in medical science, astronomy, and technology. From mind-bending physics to cutting-edge biotech, we strive to make science accessible, engaging, and exciting for everyone. So whether you're a scientist, student, or simply curious about the world around you, join us on this journey of discovery, and let's explore the wonders of science together!

20/11/2025

A new study published in Life Metabolism suggests that intermittent fasting (IF) may reduce the risk of heart attacks by preventing dangerous blood clots.

Researchers analyzed data from 160 participants with coronary artery disease, along with human blood samples and mice, and found that IF appears to inhibit platelet activation and clot formation.

This effect is attributed to the increased production of indole-3-propionic acid (IPA) by gut microorganisms during IF. IPA, in turn, affects the blood clotting process, demonstrating antithrombotic efficacy similar to that of the antiplatelet drug clopidogrel in mice.

The study revealed that IF increased levels of the bacteria C. sporogenes in mice, which is known to produce IPA. Further experiments showed that mice receiving IPA experienced prolonged clotting times, and IF also improved heart and brain outcomes after induced ischemia.

While the study highlights a potential new benefit of IF, experts caution that more research is needed to confirm these findings, understand the long-term effects, and address limitations such as the short intervention period and potential unblinded participant behavior.

Experts suggest intermittent fasting could serve as a lifestyle-based intervention to reduce cardiovascular risks, especially when combined with a healthy diet rich in fiber and leafy greens. However, more research is required regarding intermittent fasting as a potential treatment for coronary artery disease.

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📄 RESEARCH PAPER

📌 Zhiyong Qi et al., Intermittent fasting inhibits platelet activation and thrombosis through the intestinal metabolite indole-3-propionate", Life Metabolism (2025)

20/11/2025

🧠 In a groundbreaking study, researchers at Stanford Medicine have successfully reversed autism-like behaviors in mice by targeting a little-known part of the brain called the reticular thalamic nucleus—a region responsible for filtering sensory input.

In mouse models of autism, this brain region was found to be hyperactive, leading to traits commonly seen in autism, such as sensory hypersensitivity, repetitive behaviors, social withdrawal, and seizures. When scientists reduced this hyperactivity—using a seizure medication (Z944) and a neuromodulation technique called DREADD—the mice showed a remarkable return to typical behavior.

Even more compelling: when they artificially increased activity in this same brain region in healthy mice, the animals began showing autism-like behaviors. This confirms the region’s critical role in sensory and social processing—and offers new insight into the frequent overlap between autism and epilepsy.

Though still in preclinical stages, this research could transform future autism treatment strategies. Instead of broadly targeting symptoms, scientists may now pursue precise, biology-driven interventions aimed at correcting the root neural imbalances. If similar results hold in human trials, this could mark a major leap forward in personalized autism therapies.

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📄 RESEARCH PAPER

📌 “Reticular thalamic hyperexcitability drives autism spectrum disorder behaviors in the Cntnap2 model of autism” by Sung-Soo Jang, Fuga Takahashi and John R. Huguenard, 20 August 2025, Science Advances

20/11/2025

🔥 What if we could make our body's fat cells work for us, burning calories instead of storing them?

Researchers at UC San Francisco have uncovered a way to transform ordinary white fat cells into calorie-burning beige fat. Their breakthrough hinges on switching off a protein called KLF-15 in white fat cells—prompting them to take on energy-burning characteristics previously thought limited to rare brown fat cells. Unlike brown fat, which disappears soon after birth in humans, beige fat cells persist through life and can be activated naturally by cold or diet.

Experiments in mice showed that fat cells lacking KLF-15 readily converted to beige fat, boosting calorie expenditure. The researchers found KLF-15 controls the abundance of a receptor, Adrb1, allowing direct manipulation through drugs. This offers a promising strategy far beyond appetite suppressants, since the drug’s effect could be localized to fat, reducing unpleasant side effects.

By targeting the switch from storage to burning, scientists are inching closer to innovative obesity treatments that harness our body’s own biology—a potential leap forward for health and longevity.

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📄 RESEARCH PAPER

📌 Liang Li et al, "KLF-15 Suppression Converts White to Beige Adipocytes and Reveals Adrb1 as a Metabolic Target," Journal of Clinical Investigation (2024)

20/11/2025

🧪 Scientists have unveiled a hidden danger in everyday environments—a chemical commonly used in dry cleaning, adhesives, and several consumer products called tetrachloroethylene (PCE) may drastically raise the risk of serious liver damage.

A new study analyzed health data from nearly 1,600 adults and discovered that those exposed to PCE are three times more likely to develop significant liver fibrosis, the scarring of liver tissue that can progress to cirrhosis, cancer, or liver failure. Researchers found that about 7% of participants had detectable levels of PCE in their blood, and for every one nanogram per milliliter increase in PCE concentration, the risk of liver fibrosis increased fivefold.

Liver fibrosis is the most important predictor of liver-related morbidity and mortality. The study, led by Dr. Brian P. Lee, explains that PCE’s metabolites attack liver cell membranes, degrading fat and sparking inflammation and scarring. Notably, the effect persisted regardless of other classic risk factors like alcohol use, obesity, diabetes, or metabolic syndrome.

These findings highlight the urgent need for environmental policies and medical screening to catch liver disease earlier and minimize exposure to such toxins. With PCE being phased out in some countries but still present in various products, both consumers and workers remain at risk.

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📄 RESEARCH PAPER

📌 Yinan Su et al, "Tetrachloroethylene Is Associated With Presence of Significant Liver Fibrosis: A National Cross‐Sectional Study in US Adults", Liver International (2025)

20/11/2025

Depression affects over 330 million people worldwide, and while many rely on standard medications, almost half do not find relief and may require advanced therapies like ketamine or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

These cutting-edge treatments work rapidly by triggering surges of adenosine—a signaling molecule crucial for mood regulation—in key brain regions linked to depression.

But here’s the twist: caffeine—the beloved psychoactive in coffee—blocks adenosine receptors. So although regular coffee drinking epidemiologically appears to reduce depression risk by up to 25%, its acute use could blunt the full benefit of ketamine or ECT, which depend on adenosine surges for their antidepressant effects. This is the essence of the “coffee paradox.”

Researchers now advise those scheduled for such treatments to avoid caffeine for at least 24 hours beforehand to not compromise their effectiveness. While caffeine’s long-term role in mental health remains protective, its timing may be critical when paired with advanced depression therapies.

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📄 RESEARCH PAPER

📌 Chenyu Yue et al., "Adenosine signalling drives antidepressant actions of ketamine and ECT", Nature (2025)

19/11/2025

🧠 Unraveling the mystery of “chemo brain,” scientists reveal a hidden impact of cancer treatment that could change patient lives.

Memory loss and concentration problems, often called “chemo brain,” afflict up to three out of four cancer patients, sometimes persisting long after therapy ends. Researchers at Virginia Tech have now traced these cognitive difficulties to damage in the brain’s lymphatic system—a network responsible for waste clearance and immune response.

Using mouse models and innovative human tissue-engineered systems, the team showed that chemotherapy drugs like docetaxel and carboplatin shrink lymphatic vessels and reduce their branching. Docetaxel, in particular, caused pronounced vessel damage, leading to impaired lymph drainage and poor memory performance in treated mice. These changes resemble those observed in Alzheimer’s disease, suggesting broader implications for cognitive health.

This work urges a holistic approach to cancer care, recognizing that women appear especially vulnerable to these lingering effects. Scientists hope that future therapies and lifestyle interventions, such as better sleep and exercise, may help restore lymphatic health and cognitive function—offering new hope to survivors.

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📄 RESEARCH PAPER

📌 L. Monet Roberts et al, “Demonstration of chemotherapeutic-mediated changes in meningeal lymphatics in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo”, Communications Biology (2025)

19/11/2025

🌱 Could the answer to rising insulin costs and better diabetes management be as simple as what’s on your plate?

A new study published in BMC Nutrition reveals that a low-fat vegan diet—even without calorie or carb restriction—can significantly reduce both insulin needs and daily expenses in people with type 1 diabetes. Conducted by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, this secondary analysis compared a low-fat vegan approach to a conventional portion-controlled diet.

The results are compelling: participants eating vegan saw their daily insulin doses drop by 28% (an average of 12.1 units per day) and their insulin costs fall by 27% ($1.08 per day). In marked contrast, no significant changes were seen in those on the portion-controlled diet. These reductions are attributed to the improved insulin sensitivity that comes from a diet low in fat.

Broader benefits were also noted, including average weight loss of 11 pounds, enhanced glycemic control, and better cholesterol and kidney function—all critical factors in managing long-term complications of diabetes. With U.S. insulin spending hitting $22.3 billion in 2022 and prices up by almost a quarter in just five years, dietary strategies like this could offer important financial and health relief for millions.

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📄 RESEARCH PAPER

📌 Hana Kahleova et al, "Can a vegan diet help people with type 1 diabetes save on insulin? A secondary analysis of a 12-Week randomized clinical trial", BMC Nutrition (2025)

19/11/2025

👁️ Imagine regaining vision lost to a condition once thought irreversible. Scientists have accomplished just that with a revolutionary wireless retinal implant.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) leads to progressive central vision loss, and its advanced form, geographic atrophy (GA), affects millions globally. Until now, no treatment could restore this lost sight. A new international clinical trial demonstrates that the PRIMA implant—a tiny, light-powered chip placed under the retina—can restore functional central vision to people with GA. In the study, 38 adults aged over 60 received the implant and special glasses projecting real-time images directly onto the chip.

One year post-implantation, 81% of participants who completed the trial experienced meaningful improvements in visual acuity, with many regaining the ability to read and see several additional lines on an eye chart. Most were able to use the system at home for tasks like reading letters and numbers, dramatically improving independence. Serious adverse events were rare and generally resolved quickly, with ongoing refinements expected to reduce risks further.

For millions facing the devastation of AMD, the PRIMA system offers fresh hope—restoring not only sight, but the possibility of reconnecting with life’s details and faces once lost.

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📄 RESEARCH PAPER

📌 Frank G. Holz et al, "Subretinal Photovoltaic Implant to Restore Vision in Geographic Atrophy Due to Age-Related Macular Degeneration", New England Journal of Medicine (2025)

19/11/2025

☕ Could your daily coffee ritual actually protect your heart? New science says that for many, one cup of coffee a day may do just that.

A rigorous clinical trial published in JAMA studied 200 adults with a history of persistent atrial fibrillation (AFib) or atrial flutter. Participants were randomly assigned to either drink at least one cup of caffeinated coffee every day or abstain entirely from caffeine for six months. At the end of the study, researchers found a remarkable result: those who enjoyed their daily coffee had a 39% lower risk of AFib recurrence compared to those who avoided caffeine.

The research, led by Dr. Gregory M. Marcus, suggests coffee may stabilize heart rhythms by blocking adenosine receptors, reducing inflammation, and even boosting physical activity—a known protector against AFib. Importantly, there were no significant differences in adverse events between coffee drinkers and abstainers, though the study only included people who already consumed coffee and maintained their antiarrhythmic medications.

These findings challenge longstanding advice to avoid caffeine for heart health, offering cautious optimism that moderate, habitual coffee consumption may actually help prevent recurrent AFib episodes for many at risk.

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📄 RESEARCH PAPER

📌 Gregory M. Marcus et al, "Caffeinated Coffee Consumption or Abstinence to Reduce Atrial Fibrillation: The DECAF Randomized Clinical Trial", JAMA (2025)

19/11/2025

🦠 COVID-19 May Leave a Biological Legacy That Extends Across Generations
A striking new study from the Florey Institute in Melbourne suggests that the effects of COVID-19 could reach far beyond those directly infected—potentially influencing the biology and behavior of their offspring.

Researchers found that male mice infected with the virus passed on measurable behavioral changes to their young, particularly females, who displayed elevated anxiety-like behaviors. The team traced these effects to altered gene activity in the hippocampus, the brain region responsible for emotional processing and memory.

Further investigation revealed that the infection modified RNA molecules in s***m—key regulators of genes tied to brain development. This discovery marks the first evidence that a father’s COVID-19 infection might leave an epigenetic footprint capable of shaping the mental health and behavior of future generations.

Though these findings are currently limited to mice, the implications are profound. If similar mechanisms occur in humans, it could mean that the pandemic’s biological legacy will extend well beyond the present—subtly influencing how future generations think, feel, and respond to stress.

The research shows how deeply viruses can interact with genetics, blurring the line between infection and inheritance, and reminding us that the true impact of COVID-19 may only just be unfolding.

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📄 RESEARCH PAPER
📌 Elizabeth Kleeman et al, "Paternal SARS-CoV-2 infection induces anxiety-like behaviour in offspring via s***m RNA changes", Nature Communications (2025)

19/11/2025

🗣️ Why do people with schizophrenia hear 'voices' that feel so real?

A 50-year-old theory has finally been confirmed: people with schizophrenia experience auditory hallucinations by misattributing their own inner speech as external voices. Using EEG brainwave measurements, researchers tested how the brains of those with schizophrenia respond to inner speech compared to real sounds.

The study involved 55 individuals with schizophrenia and recent hallucinations, 44 with schizophrenia but no recent hallucinations, and 43 controls. Participants listened to audio while silently saying “bah” or “bih” in their minds. Brain reactions showed a stark difference—those who recently heard voices displayed a much stronger neural response when their inner speech matched the external sound.

Normally, inner speech decreases activity in the brain’s auditory regions, because the brain predicts the sound of its own voice. In people experiencing “voices,” this prediction fails, and brain activity actually increases, making their inner speech seem like it’s coming from someone else.

These findings suggest that auditory hallucinations are the result of the brain misidentifying internal thoughts, offering a new way to predict psychosis risk and potentially enabling earlier interventions.

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📄 RESEARCH PAPER

📌 Thomas Whitford et al, "Brainwave Study Sheds Light on Cause of Hearing Voices," Schizophrenia Bulletin (2025)

19/11/2025

🧠 Can a re-engineered vitamin help the brain rebuild itself after Alzheimer’s damage?

Scientists in Japan have created “supercharged” versions of vitamin K that dramatically boost the brain’s ability to generate new neurons. By chemically fusing vitamin K with retinoic acid, a metabolite of vitamin A, the team synthesized 12 hybrid molecules and tested their power to turn neural stem cells into neurons—an approach aimed at replacing cells lost in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s disease.

In mouse neural progenitor cells, one standout compound showed roughly three times the neuronal differentiation activity of natural vitamin K. This novel analogue preserved the biological functions of both vitamin K and retinoic acid, activated key nuclear receptors, and significantly increased levels of Map2, a marker of neuronal maturation. Crucially, it also converted more efficiently into MK-4, the brain-active form of vitamin K.

Gene-expression and docking studies revealed that these effects are tightly linked to metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1), a signaling hub already implicated in movement and cognitive function. In mice, the lead compound displayed stable pharmacokinetics, crossed the blood–brain barrier, and raised MK-4 levels in the brain, pointing to a promising class of vitamin K–based drugs that could one day slow or even reverse neurodegeneration.

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📄 RESEARCH PAPER

📌 Yoshihisa Hirota et al, “A New Class of Vitamin K Analogues Containing the Side Chain of Retinoic Acid Have Enhanced Activity for Inducing Neuronal Differentiation”, ACS Chemical Neuroscience (2025)

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