Today's interesting fact has to do with the Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA), more commonly known as a Mini Stroke.
There are two types of strokes, and today, we will deal with one, a subset so to speak of the ischaemic stroke. An ischaemic stroke occurs when something blocks an artery that carries blood to the brain. This can be because of a blood clot that forms in an artery for what ever reason, an air bubble, blood clot or fat globule that is formed in a blood vessel somewhere, that is later carried to the brain and finally a blockage in the tiny blood vessels found deep within the brain.
If the blockage of blood supply to the brain is temporary the individual will have the symptoms of a stroke for a short time. This is called a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or mini-stroke. The symptoms of a TIA can last from a few minutes to 24 hours.
A TIA is a sign that part of the brain is not getting enough blood and there is a risk of a more serious stroke in the future. As with any stroke, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Today's interesting fact has to do with nanotechnology
Different people seem to have different ideas in what nanotechnology refers to.
To make it things worse, some journalists seem use the same term for nanomachines and nanocrystals.
Nanotechnology is the study of manipulating mater on an atomic and molecular scale.
Titanium dioxide is a good example of this.
This mineral is found in toothpaste, paint, paper, sunscreen, skin care products and is used as a food colouring.
New uses of the material are constantly being found.
It turns paints white, helps whiten teeth, is a mild abrasive and its opacity blocks light.
Up to recently, the crystals used in these products have been large, when considered on the molectular scale.
But nano particles are now being used in many products. They are much smaller than the crystals that were used in the past.
These tiny crystals are begining to be linked to respiratory tract cancer and may cause problems in the digestive tract if swallowed.
Different people seem to have different ideas in what nanotechnology refers to.
To make it things worse, some journalists seem use the same term for nanomachines and nanocrystals.
Nanotechnology is the study of manipulating mater on an atomic and molecular scale.
Titanium dioxide is a good example of this.
This mineral is found in toothpaste, paint, paper, sunscreen, skin care products and is used as a food colouring.
New uses of the material are constantly being found.
It turns paints white, helps whiten teeth, is a mild abrasive and its opacity blocks light.
Up to recently, the crystals used in these products have been large, when considered on the molectular scale.
But nano particles are now being used in many products. They are much smaller than the crystals that were used in the past.
These tiny crystals are begining to be linked to respiratory tract cancer and may cause problems in the digestive tract if swallowed.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Today's interesting fact is short and sweet and has to do with chemicals.
In response to all those individuals who have insisted they do not want food or drinks with chemicals in them, and in response to those companies that advertise their products as being chemical free, the Royal Society of Chemistry in the UK, has a million pound prize for anyone who can produce a material or substance that does not have any chemicals in it.
In response to all those individuals who have insisted they do not want food or drinks with chemicals in them, and in response to those companies that advertise their products as being chemical free, the Royal Society of Chemistry in the UK, has a million pound prize for anyone who can produce a material or substance that does not have any chemicals in it.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Today’s interesting fact has to do with Urine and stem cells.
Recently it was discovered that while urine is for the most part sterile, it also contains a certain number of stem cells floating in the fluid.
These seem to be shed into the urine by the body.
Medical Scientists have extracted these stem cells, and by using a scaffold of collagen from a pig urethra which had all cells removed, seeded the scaffolding with these stem cells and created a new urethra that has been successfully transplanted back into the urine doner animals.
This means that in the near future, when individuals have lost a urethra through accident or disease, they may have a new one created, from their own stem cells, thereby removing any possibility of tissue rejection.
It has been suggested by some researchers, that the practice of drinking ones own urine, might help the individual, by placing these stem cells back into the body, where they might migrate to and replace tissues that are damaged.
They also say the practice of by some cultures, to urinate on wounds to promote healing, may have more to do with these stem cells, and less to the supposed sterility of said urine.
No testing on either of these suggestions has been done to date, and it is not at this time recommended.
Recently it was discovered that while urine is for the most part sterile, it also contains a certain number of stem cells floating in the fluid.
These seem to be shed into the urine by the body.
Medical Scientists have extracted these stem cells, and by using a scaffold of collagen from a pig urethra which had all cells removed, seeded the scaffolding with these stem cells and created a new urethra that has been successfully transplanted back into the urine doner animals.
This means that in the near future, when individuals have lost a urethra through accident or disease, they may have a new one created, from their own stem cells, thereby removing any possibility of tissue rejection.
It has been suggested by some researchers, that the practice of drinking ones own urine, might help the individual, by placing these stem cells back into the body, where they might migrate to and replace tissues that are damaged.
They also say the practice of by some cultures, to urinate on wounds to promote healing, may have more to do with these stem cells, and less to the supposed sterility of said urine.
No testing on either of these suggestions has been done to date, and it is not at this time recommended.
Friday, January 07, 2011
Today's interesting fact has to do with our default level of feelings.
Everyone seems to have a default setting when it comes to being happy, sad, miserable, grumpy or what ever. An individual will leave that setting, become happier, sadder, depressed, etc but eventually they will return to their default setting. Most of our time is spent in that setting.
Researchers have for years been trying to determine when this setting becomes our default. All the recent research suggests that this setting is determined at around 3 years of age, and it usually remains the same throughout life. The only times it changes is due to physical trauma to the brain, viral or bacterial infections, or chemicals changing the function of the brain.
Everyone seems to have a default setting when it comes to being happy, sad, miserable, grumpy or what ever. An individual will leave that setting, become happier, sadder, depressed, etc but eventually they will return to their default setting. Most of our time is spent in that setting.
Researchers have for years been trying to determine when this setting becomes our default. All the recent research suggests that this setting is determined at around 3 years of age, and it usually remains the same throughout life. The only times it changes is due to physical trauma to the brain, viral or bacterial infections, or chemicals changing the function of the brain.
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
Today's interesting fact has to do with the islandic volcano, Eyjafjallajokull.
Recently this volcano has been delcared to be a green eruption.
The reason for this, is that the amount of greenhouse gasses it produced are less than the amount of greenhouse glasses that would have been produced by the planes that the eruption grounded.
It says something that the planes flying to, from and within Europe, produce more CO2, that a series of volcanic eruptions.
Recently this volcano has been delcared to be a green eruption.
The reason for this, is that the amount of greenhouse gasses it produced are less than the amount of greenhouse glasses that would have been produced by the planes that the eruption grounded.
It says something that the planes flying to, from and within Europe, produce more CO2, that a series of volcanic eruptions.
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